Niko Kovac said goodbye to AS Monaco
“AS Monaco announces that they have decided to part ways with Niko Kovac. The Croatian coach was briefed on Thursday in a prior interview. Having arrived in the Principality in July 2020, Niko Kovac led the team 74 times. AS Monaco will announce the name of its new coach very soon. Until then, Stéphane Nado, coach of the N2, ensures the training of the professional group (note: he will be supported by Damien Perrinelle, former member of the staff of Niko Kovac) “, indicated this Saturday the press release of the Monegasque club to formalize the dismissal of Niko Kovac (50 years). A decision carefully considered by the asemist leaders which did not, however, fail to shock the players, many of whom were warned via social networks …
Present this Thursday at La Turbie to ensure the first training session after this winter break, the Croatian technician therefore finally learned of his ouster at the end of this session according to the information revealed by The team. This is quite surprising news in view of the balance sheet of the Monegasques, current sixth place in Ligue 1 and four units from the second place held by OGC Nice. An outcome that especially shocked the players who remained on an impressive series in the last matches with a single defeat (0-2 against PSG, December 12).
Niko Kovac has apologized!
In addition, while the leaders evoked a fracture with the Croatian in the locker room, the daily precise that several players regret this decision, symbolizing a certain instability for the club. Again in front of his group, Friday, to say his farewell, Niko Kovac did not appear resentful and even took the opportunity to make his mea culpa, especially in the management of his group and more particularly young people, sometimes tired of such degrees of requirement, characterizing the personality of the former Bayern coach. A judged departure “very classy” according to one of the players present.
Farewell executed, in the wake, the Monegasque leaders also spoke. Faced with the group, Paul Mitchell and Oleg Petrov, the vice president wished to recall the ambitions of the club and that this painful news should not have a negative impact on the rest of the season. The objective, to hope to shine in the Champions League, therefore remains to finish the exercise on the podium. A desire that always seems possible in view of the sporting situation of the club, unless this sudden departure causes more damage than expected …