MONACO (AFP) - Monaco coach Laurent Banide has been released by the principality club, a source close to the team said Monday.

Banide's departure has hastened speculation that Bordeaux's Brazilian coach Ricardo is set to join Monaco.

Banide only took the helm at the Mediterranean club in Ocotber 2006 after Laszlo Boloni was fired.

Ricardo has two more years on his Bordeaux contract and it is expected that Monaco would have to pay compensation to their French first division rivals to secure his release.