Monaco take action on Bölöni
Monday, October 23, 2006
Article summary
AS Monaco FC have relieved Laszlo Bölöni of his head coaching duties following a disappointing start to the season which has left them in the relegation zone.
Article body
AS Monaco FC have relieved Laszlo Bölöni of his head coaching duties following a disappointing start to the season that has left them in the Ligue 1 relegation zone.
Another loss
Monaco have taken just seven points from their first ten fixtures, seven of which have been lost, and sit just one point and one place above last place after losing 3-1 at home to Toulouse FC on Saturday. It is all a far cry from the 2003/04 season, when Monaco were beaten finalists in the UEFA Champions League, and 38-year-old assistant Laurent Banide will hope for an immediate upturn after taking temporary charge.
Family connection
Banide is the son of former Monaco coach Gérard Banide who led them to the French Cup in 1979/80 and the league title in 1981/82. Club president Michel Pastor said: "He has the skills to stay until the end of the season." The current run of form is Monaco's worst start to a season since 1975/76, when they were last relegated.
Guidolin replacement
Bölöni replaced Francesco Guidolin as coach at Stade Louis II back in May on a two-year contract after leaving Stade Rennais FC. The 53-year-old Romanian had left the Breton side after three years in charge having steered Rennes to a seventh-placed finish in Ligue 1. A European Champion Clubs' Cup winner with FC Steaua Bucuresti in 1986, Bölöni previously coached AS Nancy Lorraine, Romania and Sporting Clube de Portugal.
