“AS Monaco Women’s Football deserves to play at the highest level”
Appointed new coach of AS Monaco Football Féminin to replace Stéphane Guigo, Laurent Banide is about to live his first experience on the bench of a women’s club.
Passed by many clubs in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia since his second spell at the head of the AS Monaco first team (2011), the native of Alès finds the South of France, impatient to discover a new challenge after an ultimate adventure within the Oldham Athletic AFC, in the English fourth division. An experience that marked her with matches in front of more than 10,000 spectators. We realize that in England, people are passionate people who love their club. »
In what state of mind are you when you return to the Principality?
It is a great pleasure to return to Monaco. I am very attached to the Principality. I have part of my family here, friends too. I had the opportunity to go abroad for many years, but when the club presented the project to me, I immediately accepted. This is an important new challenge for me.
How do you apprehend this first experience among women?
It’s a first, a new adventure, a different way of working. But that’s what I liked about the project. I will adapt quickly. I regularly watch the matches of the women’s teams and in particular those of Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. I can’t wait to be on the pitch to help this group progress and allow the team to achieve the goals set by the club.
The club is giving itself the means to reach the first division in the years to come
Laurent Banide
What are the club’s goals this season?
We are aiming for the climb this season. AS Monaco Football Féminin deserves to play at the highest level. The club is giving itself the means to reach the first division in the years to come. Beyond these objectives, we must also put in place solid foundations, especially in the game, to offer a good show to our supporters.
What will be the contours of the workforce this season?
The executives of the team will stay and recruits will arrive. Everyone is already working on several files to improve certain areas of the game. We are in contact with several players, some will come to try out and the first signings should come quickly. We want to bring experience to our group, which is more made up of young players, around executive players. We are several weeks away from the start of the championship (the first match is scheduled for September 11, editor’s note), we must not go too fast. We are aiming for targeted recruitment for the best of the team, which can already count on a solid base.
How do you view AS Monaco, a club you know like the back of your hand?
I am still a loyal supporter of AS Monaco. Everything has changed since I left the club, but I always go to the stadium as soon as possible to support the team. The club is coming off a good end to the season which has allowed it to grab a place in the European Cup. The dams promise to be difficult, but anything is possible. We believe in.