Monaco Sack Boss Leonardo Jardim

By Max Wise

French club AS Monaco have sacked their Portuguese manager, Leonardo Jardim, after a poor start to the season.

The Red and Whites have just one win and three draws from nine Ligue 1 games this season, and are 18th on the log with six points; 21 points adrift leaders, Paris Saint-Germain.

AS Monaco are also languishing at the bottom of their Champions League group after defeats to Dortmund and Atletico Madrid in the two opening games.

Jardim said on Thursday: "I'm grateful and proud to have been Monaco coach for more than four years. I've always given my very best and worked with passion. We achieved some great victories together and I'll always keep those memories."

Jardim led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in the 2016/2017 season, their first since 2000, and also took them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions league that same season.

The Portuguese trainer has been a victim of his own success as most of his influential assets have been snatched by several top clubs in Europe with Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Lemar, Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Anthony Martial and Fabinho all departing the Stade Louis II.

AS Monaco Vice President, Vadim Vasilyev, paid tribute to the former Sporting Lisbon manager and eulogized him for his exploits at the club.

"I want to thank, with the deepest respect, Leonardo for all the work done," he said.

"Leonardo has established himself on the bench of AS Monaco as a reference in Europe and leaves behind a very positive balance sheet."

"His tenure will remain as one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the club. Leonardo will still be part of the AS Monaco family."