Banide, the youngest coach in the French championship, took over from Laszlo Boloni two months ago when Monaco slumped to second-from-bottom of the table after a 3-1 home defeat to Toulouse.

Banide was Boloni's assistant and he was offered the job to take over the reins.

"I wasn't seeking the job," said Banide. "But I was indebted to the club. It was time to see what I was capable of and to see if my ideas and philosophy worked."

When the job came up, he immediately consulted his family including father Gerard, the Monaco coach from 1976-1979 and 1993.

"I turned to my friends, my wife and my father for their advice," he said.

It was his father who gave him a helping hand on the coaching road putting him in charge of the reserve team as a 25-year-old in 1993 when Banide senior was beginning his second spell in charge of the senior squad.

"I saw a new generation of players - Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Dado Prso," recalled Banide.

Banide has always been attracted to the coaching side of the game.

"Leading a training session gives me greater pleasure than taking part in," said Banide.

"I have learnt a lot from my father. Love of the pitch, my way of speaking, of conducting a training session. Even the sound and intonation of our voices are identical."

Banide has penned a deal until 2008 and it's so far, so good.

Since taking over, he has led the club on a mini-revival with Saturday's 0-0 draw at five-time champions Lyon helping the club to spend Christmas out of the relegation zone.