New Monaco Manager Pocognoli Seeks Van Gaal Inspired Influence

16 October 2025 at 04:14

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Monacos latest appointment Sebastien Pocognoli plans to draw from his former mentor Louis van Gaal as he aims to revive the Ligue 1 outfits campaign following a tepid opening that resulted in his predecessors dismissal.

The Austrian trainer Adi Huetter was dismissed recently after securing only one victory in their previous five outings a sequence that featured a 4-1 thrashing by Club Brugge in the Champions League alongside a 3-1 league loss to promoted side Lorient.

This represented a sharp decline for a squad that finished third in Ligue 1 the prior year and sought to mount a stronger challenge against Paris Saint-Germain domestically while leaving a mark in European competition.

Huetter in position since July 2023 has been succeeded by the somewhat novice Pocognoli a 38 year old ex Belgian international recruited from Union Saint Gilloise.

I intend to arrive with core principles that align with Monacos vision since that is the reason they selected me Pocognoli stated during his introduction.

I appreciate the clubs willingness to back a young manager and view this as a bold move in its own right he continued having featured under Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar during their 2009 Dutch championship triumph.

Every day under him I improved and his departure left me feeling a step down.

This highlighted his exceptional coaching and how a manager can truly shape player growth.

Once a left back for Standard Liege West Bromwich Albion and Brighton Pocognoli entered senior management last season guiding the Brussels based team to their inaugural Belgian league title in nine decades.

He forgoes a Champions League push with them to commit to Monaco through 2027 supported by former Everton and Belgium forward Kevin Mirallas.

He inherits a Monaco roster brimming with skill including emerging French talent Maghnes Akliouche Japanese standout Takumi Minamino English defender Eric Dier and Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati.

Additionally Pocognoli anticipates the much anticipated fitness comeback of Paul Pogba.

The ex Manchester United and Juventus playmaker has yet to debut post summer signing as he regains condition after extended absence from injury and a doping suspension.

Readiness is projected in at least a fortnight and meanwhile Pocognolis first match in charge arrives against Angers on Saturday.

Monaco subsequently resumes Champions League duties Wednesday hosting Tottenham Hotspur at Stade Louis II.

After seven matches they sit fifth in the standings three points adrift of frontrunners PSG having earned a 2-2 stalemate versus Manchester City in their latest European fixture.

Spotlight player Joaquin Panichelli

This towering 23 year old Argentine forward has quickly adapted at Strasbourg upon his summer transfer to France.

With five strikes in his initial seven Ligue 1 games Strasbourg seem to possess a enduring replacement for skipper Emmanuel Emegha set for Chelsea next term.

Panichelli starting out at River Plate joined Alsace in July from La Liga club Alaves for an estimated 20 million euros 23.3m dollars.

Though sparingly used in Spains elite division he bagged 21 goals last campaign while loaned to second division Mirandes.

Essential figures

34 PSG remain unbeaten in 34 top flight home clashes against Strasbourg

7 Marseille boast seven consecutive Ligue 1 home victories their longest streak in more than ten years

6 The tally of goals from Ansu Fati across merely five outings for Monaco

Schedule times GMT

Friday

Paris Saint Germain v Strasbourg 1845

Saturday

Nice v Lyon 1500 Angers v Monaco 1700 Marseille v Le Havre 1905

Sunday