Post by Monique on Sept 20, 2005 4:54:34 GMT
French first division side Monaco have accepted coach Didier Deschamps' decision to resign.
Former France captain Deschamps, 36, handed in a letter of resignation on Monday after a 2-0 defeat by Rennes left his team 15th out of 20 in the league.
Club president Michel Pastor said: "It's his choice and we have to accept it."
Deschamps had been reprimanded last week for calling Monaco a little club for failing to make any notable summer signings.
In a statement issued through his agent Jeannot Werth, Deschamps said that his decision was the best for the club.
"The current situation is no longer conducive to continuing as coach in the best interests of the club and its fans," he said.
"I'm leaving a club that I gave four years of my life to with energy and passion and of which I have some of my best memories."
Pastor comfirmed that Deschamps' assistant Jean Petit would take over as caretaker coach for their next league match at Troyes.
"Our objectives will not change even if we're going through a difficult period," Pastor said.
As to a possible successor, Pastor added: "We've been beseiged by offers since this morning, we're going to think about it calmly. We're not going to get carried away but take a decision in the next two weeks."
Monaco were Champions League finalists two seasons ago but are struggling this term which Deschamps has blamed on the management's failure to recruit new players.
Deschamps, France's 1998 World Cup-winning captain and 2000 Euro Champions skipper, took up his first coaching post at Monaco in 2001.
In his second season he guided Monaco to second place and they finished third in both the following seasons behind larger-funded clubs.
They reached the 2004 Champions League final after beating Chelsea in the semi-finals but lost to Jose Mourinho's Porto.
Monaco failed to qualify for this year's Champions League group stage after losing to Real Betis in the third qualifying round but last week beat Dutch side Willem II Tilburg 2-0 in their first round, first leg UEFA Cup match.
Deschamps enjoyed a glittering playing career, which he began at Nantes before moving to Marseille, Bordeaux, Juventus and Chelsea.
Deschamps reached three Champions League finals with Juve, winning the title once in 1996. He also won the Cup with Marseille in 1993.
The player once derided as a "water carrier" by former France international Eric Cantona, won 103 caps for France, 56 as captain.
source: afp
Former France captain Deschamps, 36, handed in a letter of resignation on Monday after a 2-0 defeat by Rennes left his team 15th out of 20 in the league.
Club president Michel Pastor said: "It's his choice and we have to accept it."
Deschamps had been reprimanded last week for calling Monaco a little club for failing to make any notable summer signings.
In a statement issued through his agent Jeannot Werth, Deschamps said that his decision was the best for the club.
"The current situation is no longer conducive to continuing as coach in the best interests of the club and its fans," he said.
"I'm leaving a club that I gave four years of my life to with energy and passion and of which I have some of my best memories."
Pastor comfirmed that Deschamps' assistant Jean Petit would take over as caretaker coach for their next league match at Troyes.
"Our objectives will not change even if we're going through a difficult period," Pastor said.
As to a possible successor, Pastor added: "We've been beseiged by offers since this morning, we're going to think about it calmly. We're not going to get carried away but take a decision in the next two weeks."
Monaco were Champions League finalists two seasons ago but are struggling this term which Deschamps has blamed on the management's failure to recruit new players.
Deschamps, France's 1998 World Cup-winning captain and 2000 Euro Champions skipper, took up his first coaching post at Monaco in 2001.
In his second season he guided Monaco to second place and they finished third in both the following seasons behind larger-funded clubs.
They reached the 2004 Champions League final after beating Chelsea in the semi-finals but lost to Jose Mourinho's Porto.
Monaco failed to qualify for this year's Champions League group stage after losing to Real Betis in the third qualifying round but last week beat Dutch side Willem II Tilburg 2-0 in their first round, first leg UEFA Cup match.
Deschamps enjoyed a glittering playing career, which he began at Nantes before moving to Marseille, Bordeaux, Juventus and Chelsea.
Deschamps reached three Champions League finals with Juve, winning the title once in 1996. He also won the Cup with Marseille in 1993.
The player once derided as a "water carrier" by former France international Eric Cantona, won 103 caps for France, 56 as captain.
source: afp
