The 38-year-old Belgian has signed a contract with Monaco running until June 2027.

Pocognoli joins Monaco after a spell at Union Saint-Gilloise. He led the Belgian side to the top-flight title last term, and its maiden campaign in the UEFA Champions League.

He  holds the highest points-per-match average (2.12) among all Pro League coaches in the 21st Century (to have overseen at least 50 matches), ahead of Philippe Clement (1.98) and Frank Vercauteren (1.94).

The former Belgium international guided Union SG to a memorable 3-1 victory in its UEFA Champions League opener against PSV, and leaves the reigning Belgian champion sitting atop of its domestic standings after 10 games.

Pocognoli will be in the Monaco dugout for the first time when it travels to Angers in Ligue 1 next weekend, with the club having won just one of its past five games in all competitions, a run that resulted in Hutter's dismissal.