Monaco keep coach Jardim for next season

Monaco’s Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim will remain in charge next season despite failing to secure an automatic spot in the Champions League, a top club official told AFP on Saturday.

Monaco stumbled towards the end of last season, including a 6-1 trouncing at Lyon that destroyed their hopes of finishing second in Ligue 1 and of sealing an automatic Champions League berth.

Club vice-chairman Vasim Vasilyev said he, Jardim and chairman Dmitry Rybolovlev sat down on Friday to thrash out plans for next season.

“We analysed and listened to his ideas. We have chosen stability and continuity and Leonardo Jardim retains our confidence to lead this project,” Vasilyev told AFP.

“He showed his desire and his ambition. He is prepared 200 percent,” said Vasilyev, adding however that failing to win a trophy and losing second in the table to Lyon had been “a real disappointment.”

The target for the new season was second — behind reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain — and a cup, Vasilyev said.