Monaco coach Didier Deschamps has offered to step down after a 2-0 home defeat by Rennes on Sunday.
The defeat left Monaco 15th in the 20-strong Ligue 1.
Deschamps told his players on Monday he would no longer train the team, according to a source at the club. The club declined to make immediate comment.
The 36-year-old former France captain was appointed Monaco coach in 2001. Monaco were Champions League finalists two seasons ago but after four defeats in their opening seven gamnes, they are struggling at sixth from bottom of the French league table.
The speculation about Deschamps position comes after Monaco chairman Michel Pastor attempted to defuse a row with his coach over the lack of investment in new players.
“I don’t want to start a controversy,” Pastor told L’Equipe.
“Everyone knows the quality of Monaco and that we played in the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2004.
“It is, and will remain, a great club with its past and the results – even the most recent ones.
“We all want results but I am not on the pitch so it is up to the coach and the players to act.
“There is no trouble between Deschamps and me. Perhaps he has got carried away.
“We meet on Tuesday and the trust is mutual. His words have not put the club in trouble.
“In Le Championnat, we aim for at least a place on the podium.
“In March, I spoke of being in the European elite going for domestic and continental titles and that is still the aim.
“In the summer, we went for some big name players. Milan Baros, Fred, Djibril Cisse – but we were outbid.
“However, we could also have sold – there were some very enticing bids for Emmanuel Adebayor.”
