Ranieri Sacked From Post - "Not The Right Man"

Russian billionaire businessman and chairman of AS Moncao FC, Dmitry Rybolovlev, has announced that club manager Claudio Ranieri, who has been in charge since 2012, has had his contract terminated.

The Italian manager, 62, joined The Red and Whites after being sacked by Inter Milan. Before this, he had had managerial spells with several top European teams, including overseeing Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea.

Ranieri has refused to comment on the situation, but Rybolovlev has confirmed that he was forced into sacking him after he refused to willingly tear up his contract, and so a compensation fee has been paid to the Rome-born manager.

Last season, Ranieri led the side to a Ligue 2 title, the first one in club history, but has been sacked because he is "not the right man for the job", according to the Russian billionaire, 47.

"We thank Claudio for the work he has done to get us back into the top league, but I must say that I felt that he is not the right man for the job. I had my concerns when he brought Radamel Falcao in for such a high fee, but I went along with it. Truth be told, we still have a very weak side overall. We have two or three world class players, but if we want to challenge for a place as Europe's elite, we must invest into more players - it didn't look like Claudio was going to do this, so I sacked him. I hope to conclude a new managerial appointment in the coming week."

Great start mate; Monaco have a lot of potential; i'll be following this!

It's not about the money, money, mon...oh wait. :v

Good luck!

Ivorian defender Kolo Touré has announced his retirement from football, and has accepted an offer from AS Monaco to take over from Claudio Ranieri, with the role of head coach.

Ranieri was sacked exactly one week ago, with Monaco's billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev promising fans of a replacement within seven days of the sacking.

But fans would not have been expecting this appointment. Touré is a very experienced professional, but has never managed a club before, leaving the fans and media baffled by the Russian's decision.

Touré, 33, tells us that he did not want to retire from his playing career, but was "so surprised and flattered" by Monaco's job offer that he accepted it without a second thought.

"I was enjoying my time as a player, and thought that I still had time left at Anfield to prove myself to the fans. Brendan Rodgers is a good man for giving me a chance at Liverpool, and I am proud of my career. Monaco have some fantastic players, and I look forward to getting the very best out of each and every one of them. Despite my lack of experience, I am confident that I am the right man to take this club forward, and have no worries about spending big to help the club out."

So that was Kolo Touré speaking about his new job, but what did Rybolovlev offer as an explanation about the appointment?

"I don't think that experience matters. All good managers started out somewhere, and I think that Kolo is a great professional. As he has already said, money is there to spend, and he will spend it, unlike his predecessor. Claudio acted very professionally following his departure, and I thank him for that - I hope that there will not have to be more sackings any time soon!"

Interesting....

Yolo Toure managing Monaco! Wow, you better be ready for a lot of own goals!

Controversial decision, Good luck

Hahaha oh Kolo!

Monaco Plan Barcelona Swoop For Spanish Winger Cristian Tello

Tello Your Friends: Is a move for Cristian Tello the beginning of a revolution at Monaco?

A rejuvenated Monaco look set to bid for Barcelona winger Cristian Tello in this summer transfer window, and are said to be willing to activate the Spaniard's release clause.

Manager Kolo Touré joined just five days ago, and now looks set to make his first dip into the transfer market, by targeting his sibling's former club.

Barcelona brought Tello into the first team in 2011, and the 22-year-old has gone on to make 57 appearances for the club. But with a reported tiff between Tello and new manager Gerardo Martino, an exit for the player, capped once by the Spanish national side.

Touré considers Tello a perfect player to join what is being touted by many as a 'revolutionary period' for the club, following the takeover in 2011. He has been told by owner Dmitry Rybolovlev that he is to sign high profile players, and while Tello is not quite at that level, he has certainly gained worldwide recognition, even if it is just because he is playing for Barcelona.

Liverpool and Porto have been linked with the player in the past, but Monaco seem the favourites to bag the Spaniard, and his release clause of £8.5 million appeals to Mr. Touré.

Tello recently admitted that a move away from the Nou Camp would be best for all parties following his argument with Tata Martino.

Monaco are lacking quality in depth, and Tello is sure to help ease this problem, but there is still much work to be done for the French side.

NO THE PUN! I expected better of you.

Nice start and good luck!
Interesting managerial choice but hopefully it works out

HAHAHAHA WHAT A PUN! Get Yaya, just for the lolz.

Spanish Duo Sign: Kolo Touré Bags First Two Signings as Manager

After it was reported that Monaco were close to sealing a deal to bring Barcelona winger Cristian Tello to the club, the French side have announced that the Spaniard has signed a contract with them - as well as a surprise addition of another Barcelona player.

Cristian Tello, 22 rejects Monaco's close rivals Paris Saint-Germain in order to sign for the club, but only after he received a significant wage offer from Monaco, according to his agent. Jorge Domínguez, who works as Tello's agent (as well as other Spanish players, including the likes of Andrés Iniesta and Swansea City's Michu), claims that Tello would have signed for PSG if it were not for a late, improved bid from Monaco manager Kolo Touré. Tello signs with the club on a four year deal, ending the Spaniard's spat with Tata Martino. He joins for his release clause of £8.5 million.

His choice to join Monaco was aided further by the signing of Barcelona team-mate and close friend Martin Montoya. The fullback, also 22, had just entered the final year of his contract, and therefore available for a cheaper fee than what he would have been normally. Also represented by agent Domínguez, Montoya was subject to less interest, and it was believed that Monaco were the only team who had expressed an interest. Nonetheless, the Spaniard is a very talented player, who will surely help Monaco's quest to sit upon the throne of Europe in the near future. He also signs a four year contract with the club, for a fee of £6.5 million.

It would seem that Monaco are not done just yet. It is now rumoured that they are interested in Hoffenheim's Brazilian playmaker, Roberto Firmino, who is also linked with Liverpool. They've responded to rumours before by quickly buying the player in question (Tello), and we could see them doing the same here.

Good luck

Firmimo is a quality player, best of luck with the signing. Are you going to sign any CB's?