Like father, like son at struggling Monaco

MONACO: At just 38, Monaco coach Laurent Banide can call upon plenty of expert guidance if required – his father Gerard twice occupied the hot-seat at the principality club. 

Banide, the youngest coach in the French championship, took over from Laszlo Boloni two months ago when Monaco slumped to second-from-bottom of the table after a 3-1 home defeat to Toulouse. 

Banide was Boloni's assistant and he was offered the job to take over the reins. 

“I wasn't seeking the job,” said Banide. “But I was indebted to the club. It was time to see what I was capable of and to see if my ideas and philosophy worked.” 

When the job came up, he immediately consulted his family including father Gerard, the Monaco coach from 1976-1979 and 1993. 

“I turned to my friends, my wife and my father for their advice.”  

It was his father who gave him a helping hand on the coaching road putting him in charge of the reserve team as a 25-year-old in 1993 when Banide Sr was beginning his second spell in charge of the senior squad. 

“I saw a new generation of players – Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Dado Prso,” recalled Banide. 

Banide has always been attracted to the coaching side of the game. 

“Leading a training session gives me greater pleasure than taking part in,” said Banide. 

“I have learnt a lot from my father. Love of the pitch, my way of speaking, of conducting a training session. Even the sound and intonation of our voices are identical.” 

Banide has penned a deal until 2008 and it's so far, so good. 

Since taking over, he has led the club on a mini-revival with Saturday's 0-0 draw at five-time champions Lyon helping the club to spend Christmas out of the relegation zone. – AFP