Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim has been reappointed at French strugglers Monaco, just three-and-a-half months after being sacked by the Ligue 1 club.
Jardim, who won the French League and Cup double with the Monegasques in 2017, has signed a 2.5-year deal to replace Thierry Henry, who lasted just twenty games before being dismissed as Monaco battle to avoid relegation.
In an official statement released by the club, Monaco general manager Vadim Vasilyev admitted that the decision to sack Jardim in October had not been the correct one. “Our Club is going through a very complicated time today. Today, I am ready to declare that I bear full responsibility,” read the Russian’s statement.
“We are forced to realise that we sold too many important players during the summer transfer window and despite considerable means invested errors were made to replace them. Which did not allow to compose a new competitive team. The decision to dismiss coach Leonardo Jardim was similarly too premature.
“Leonardo Jardim and Monaco will remain, as I had the opportunity to say at the time of his departure, it is one of the most beautiful pages in the club's history. Today, we realise that the story of Leonardo Jardim with the Club did not end as it should have. We should have given Leonardo a chance to continue his work.”
Martins incoming?
Monaco are currently three points adrift of safety in the French top flight, and the rebuilding of the team is expected to continue before the January transfer window closes. According to reports, Portugal forward Gelson Martins is set to join Jardim’s side on loan from Atletico Madrid in the coming days.
Former Sporting man Martins, who only signed for Atletico last summer, was given permission by coach Diego Simeone to miss training towards the end of the week in order to negotiate his move to the Stade Louis II. The Portuguese has been afforded just 446 minutes in an Atleti shirt this season.
Article update: On Sunday 27 January Monaco announced that Gelson Martins had signed a loan contract until the end of the season.
??? AS Monaco is delighted to announce the arrival of Gelson Martins on loan from Atlético Madrid until the end of the season.#WelcomeToMonaco ?? pic.twitter.com/pXUHzYJB7R
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 27, 2019
By Sean Gillen
