A New Era on the Bench

Monaco confirmed on Tuesday the arrival of Sébastien Pocognoli as its new manager, just one day after parting ways with Austrian coach Adi Hütter. The decision came after a poor run of results that left the club sitting fifth in the Ligue 1 standings and 30th in the Champions League ranking.

At only 38 years old, Pocognoli steps into one of France’s most demanding managerial roles. The Belgian coach, who signed a contract until 2027, made history last season by leading Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to its first league title in 90 years — a remarkable achievement considering it was his debut season managing a professional team.

In an official statement, Monaco praised its new coach for “combining sporting success with an ambitious and attractive style of play,” a philosophy the club hopes will restore consistency and competitiveness in the Principality.

The Challenge: Stabilizing the Team and Empowering Ansu Fati

Pocognoli’s primary mission will be to give structure and identity to a Monaco side that has been inconsistent at the start of the season, despite the outstanding form of Ansu Fati. The Spanish forward, on loan from Barcelona, has been the team’s standout player and currently leads the league in scoring with five goals.

Several big names were linked to the position, including Edin Terzić, who guided Borussia Dortmund to the 2024 Champions League final, and Xavi Hernández, the Barcelona legend who coached the Catalan side from late 2021 to 2024. Ultimately, the club opted for a young coach with bold ideas, believing Pocognoli can balance immediate results with long-term development.

The task ahead is significant, but with talents like Ansu Fati in the squad, Monaco’s supporters have every reason to believe that this new chapter could reignite the club’s ambitions both in France and in Europe.