AS Monaco made headlines on Thursday evening after parting ways with head coach Adi Hütter, with sources indicating that Belgian manager Sébastien Pocognoli is poised to take over…
The decision, confirmed internally at around 6 p.m., also sees Hütter’s long-time assistants Christian Peintinger and Klaus Schmidt depart alongside him. The trio, appointed just over two years ago, informed players of their exit immediately after training, a sign the decision came swiftly and without ceremony.
Despite a relatively strong opening to the Ligue 1 campaign, with four wins and one draw in their first seven fixtures, Monaco sit fifth in the table — only three points behind league-leaders Paris Saint-Germain. However, the club’s mixed European start may have accelerated the change: a disappointing loss to Club Brugge in their opening Champions League game was followed by a spirited 2-2 draw against Manchester City, but patience appears to have run thin at board level.
Sources suggest that Monaco first approached German coach Edin Terzić, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, but were unable to strike an agreement. Attention has now turned to 38-year-old Sébastien Pocognoli of Union Saint-Gilloise, considered one of Belgium’s brightest young coaches after guiding his club to their first league title in 90 years last season, in his debut year as head coach.
If confirmed, Pocognoli would inherit a talented squad with high expectations, and very little time to settle in.
Image: AS Monaco
