Franco-American president of Monaco, Jerome de Bontin, has admitted defeat in his attempts to resuscitate the beleaguered club, stating that family reasons will see him return to the USA. A controversial character, de Bontin only took charge of les Monegasques in April 2008, meaning his tenure lasted less than a year.

He has frequently courted controversy with the clubs supporters, who are, even by Ligue 1 standards, relatively thin on the ground. Indeed, the fans have been boycotting Monaco games since week three of the season due to the increased ticket prices to watch their side at the Stade Louis II.

Monacos first non-principality-born president also has the reputation of being something of an astute businessman, making purchases of players from all around the world to try and attract foreign interest in the club. Park Chu Young, a South Korean star signed in the summer, is one such talent while young American Freddy Adu is another who joined for a similar reason.

Like the clubs season to date (they sit 12th in Ligue 1), these purchases have had mixed success, with Adu barely featuring at all for the first team.

The official release on Monacos official website assures supporters that there will be no problems attracting a future backer, stating, At the next meeting of the board of directors in March 2009, Monaco will announce their new owner. With their new investors, AS Monaco will have the capability to return to the ranks of the French and European elite.

Big ambitions, indeed, for les Monegasques