The coach of AS Monaco, Leonardo Jardim, will stay with the team until 2020, the club has announced.
The Portuguese coach has been credited with taking the football club to its first French Ligue 1 title in 17 years.
Monaco is now regarded as one of the most exciting teams in Europe, with its hallmark being the ability to spot very young players and moulding them into outstanding footballers. Not only has Monaco put an end to several seasons of dominance by Paris-St Germain in the French league, but the team also made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
AS Monaco players scored 107 goals during the season. The 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe has performed brilliantly and attracted the close attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs. To help make the story sweeter, Colombian forward Radamel Falcao has returned to form after a disappointing spell at English clubs where he was on loan.
There had been speculation that Jardim would be tempted by a move to China, where he would have been paid more than he makes with Monaco, but he said this week that he was excited to stay in the Principality.
“We will work with the ambition to continue this project and continue to grow this club with the same passion that has inspired us from the beginning,” he said, adding, “I am convinced that the future looks very exciting at Monaco.”