Monaco’s Fresh Start Under a New Coach
Monaco hopes that the appointment of Belgian coach Sebastien Bocconoli, paired with the return to full fitness of former Belgian international Paul Pogba, will spark a strong start to their Ligue 1 campaign as they prepare to host Tottenham in the Champions League next Wednesday.
Last season the principality club finished third and now aims to be more credible domestically while leaving a mark in Europe.
They sit fifth after seven matches, just three points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, and they have already drawn 2-2 with Manchester City in the group stage.
However, coach Austrian Adi Hütter was dismissed last week after only one win from the last five games, including a 1-4 defeat to Club Brugge in the opening Champions League group game and a 1-3 domestic loss to Lorient.
Bocconoli, a 38-year-old Belgian former international, arrived from Union Saint‑Gilloise to replace him as Monaco’s boss.
Before this season he had not coached at senior level, but last season he guided Anderlecht to their first Belgian top-flight title in 90 years, the club’s 12th overall. He even passed on a chance to play in the Champions League with Anderlecht to sign a deal with Monaco until 2027, with Kevin Mirallas joining the project as well.
Describing his move, Bocconoli, a former left-back who played for Standard Liège, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton, begins his managerial journey in earnest now.
Monaco’s squad also features exciting talents such as French-born, Algerian-origin Maghnis Akliouch, Japanese star Takumi Minamino, Englishman Eric Dier and Spaniard Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona. Pogba has joined the squad but has not yet played as he recovers fitness and serves a period after joining this summer.
He is unlikely to be ready for at least two weeks; Bocconoli’s Monaco tenure begins with an away trip to Angers on Saturday, before hosting Tottenham in midweek at the Louis II stadium.
PSG vs Strasbourg: A marquee test for the champions
The weekend also features a firecracker clash as Paris Saint‑Germain, the leaders and champions, visit Strasbourg, one of three pursuers just a point behind. The Spanish coach Luis Enrique will hope to regain balance after their 1-1 draw with Lille in the previous round.
The game will serve as a tune‑up for PSG ahead of their trip to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday in the Champions League. Strasbourg’s breakout is already turning heads, with 23-year-old Argentine forward Joaquin Banietchi scoring five goals in seven league games since a July move from Deportivo Alavés for around €20 million, and many see him as a potential long‑term successor to captain Emanuel Imiga, who is linked to a Chelsea move next season.
Meanwhile, Nice plays Lyon on Saturday, Marseille hosts Le Havre, and Sunday features Lens against Paris FC, with other fixtures including Angers vs Metz, Lorient vs Brest, Rennes vs Auxerre and Nantes vs Lille.
Punchlines to brighten the pitch:
Monaco’s plan is so tight that even their press conferences come with a security clearance.
If football had a dating app, Monaco just swiped right on a Belgian coach; PSG might need a reality check before they swipe left on a stranger named success.
