Key Takeaways:
- Monaco is set to part company with Adi Hütter and has reportedly identified Sebastien Pocognoli as his successor
- Pocognoli recently guided Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to the Champions League and did not oversee the club’s training session today
- The 38-year-old Belgian, a former national team defender with 13 caps, has been managing Union Saint-Gilloise since last year
Monaco Eyes Pocognoli to Replace Hütter
AS Monaco appear close to appointing a new manager, as the club prepares to finalise its separation from current head coach Adi Hütter. Reports indicate that Sebastien Pocognoli – the in-demand Belgian manager – has been selected as the preferred candidate to take charge at the principality club. Pocognoli generated headlines in Belgium after taking Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, a team with a modest history, all the way to the Champions League. This achievement put him firmly on Monaco’s radar.
Further evidence of an impending move emerged when Pocognoli was notably absent from Union Saint-Gilloise’s training session today. His assistant, Bart Meert, assumed responsibility for leading the squad, lending credence to reports of advanced negotiations with Monaco.
🚨 BREAKING
🇲🇨 Sébastien Pocognoli va devenir le prochain entraîneur de l’AS Monaco!
🟡🔵 Le coach belge l’a annoncé à son groupe dans la causerie d’avant-match lors de l’amical face au Patro-Eisden ce midi.
🇧🇪 Kevin Mirallas part avec Pocognoli.
⏳ Plus de détails 🔜 #ASM pic.twitter.com/lTk1DgVX5a
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) October 9, 2025
Pocognoli’s Playing and Managerial Credentials
Sebastien Pocognoli brings considerable experience from his playing days, having turned out for prominent Belgian clubs such as Genk, Standard Liège, and Union Saint-Gilloise, as well as enjoying spells at Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar, Bundesliga side Hannover 96, and English teams West Bromwich Albion and Brighton. Over the course of his career, he earned 13 caps for the Belgian national team.
At only 38 years of age, Pocognoli began his coaching path five years ago, initially taking charge of the Belgium U18 side. Last year, he took up the managerial post at Union Saint-Gilloise, rapidly making an impression by leading them to Europe’s elite club competition.
| Manager | Nationality | Previous Club(s) | Years as Manager | Known Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastien Pocognoli | Belgium | Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium U18 | 5 | Led Union Saint-Gilloise to the Champions League |
Managerial Transition at Union Saint-Gilloise
Media outlets, corroborated by developments at Union Saint-Gilloise’s training ground, suggest that the managerial handover process may already be underway, with Bart Meert assuming coaching duties for the day. The Belgian specialist’s proven track record and club credentials position him as a strong candidate to oversee a new chapter at Monaco as the club seeks to move forward from the imminent exit of Adi Hütter.
