The China Mail - Ambitious new Monaco coach Pocognoli looking to make Van Gaal-style 'impact'

Austrian coach Adi Huetter was fired last week with Monaco having won just one of their last five matches -- a run which includes a 4-1 hammering by Club Brugge in the Champions League, and a 3-1 domestic defeat at newly-promoted Lorient.

It was an alarming drop in form for a team that came third in Ligue 1 last season and had been hoping to produce a more credible domestic challenge to Paris Saint-Germain while also making an impression in Europe.

Huetter, who had been in charge since July 2023, has been replaced by the relatively inexperienced Pocognoli, a 38-year-old former Belgian international lured from Union Saint-Gilloise.

"I am going to come with principles, which must match those of Monaco because that is why they chose me," Pocognoli said at his unveiling.

"I like the fact that the club showed an interest in a young coach, and I think such an approach is daring in itself," added Pocognoli, who played under Van Gaal in the AZ Alkmaar side that won the Dutch title in 2009.

"I felt better every day with him, and when he left I felt less good.

"That means he was a very good coach and it made me realise that a coach can really have an impact on the development of players."

A former Standard Liege, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton left-back, Pocognoli had not coached at senior level until last season, when he led the Brussels club to their first Belgian title in 90 years.

He has given up the chance to pursue a Champions League campaign with them in order to sign a deal until 2027 with Monaco, where he will be assisted by ex-Everton and Belgium striker Kevin Mirallas.

He takes over a Monaco side hardly lacking in talent, including new France international Maghnes Akliouche, Japan star Takumi Minamino, England's Eric Dier and on-loan Barcelona forward Ansu Fati.

Pocognoli also has the long-awaited return to fitness of Paul Pogba to look forward to.

The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder is still to make his debut after signing in the close season as he builds up fitness following a long spell out of action due to injury and a doping ban.

He is not expected to be ready for at least two more weeks, and in the meantime Pocognoli's debut on the bench will come at Angers on Saturday.

Monaco then return to Champions League action on Wednesday when Tottenham Hotspur visit the Stade Louis II.

They are currently fifth in the table after seven games, only three points behind leaders PSG, and held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw in their last Champions League outing.

Player to watch: Joaquin Panichelli

The tall 23-year-old Argentinian striker has wasted no time making an impression at Strasbourg since moving to France in the close season.

He has five goals in his first seven Ligue 1 appearances and it appears that Strasbourg already have the long-term successor to captain Emmanuel Emegha, who will move to Chelsea next season.

Panichelli, who began his career at River Plate, moved to Alsace in July from La Liga side Alaves in a deal worth a reported 20 million euros ($23.3m).

He had hardly played in the Spanish top flight but netted 21 times last season on loan at second-tier outfit Mirandes.

Key stats

34 - PSG have never lost in 34 previous home meetings with Strasbourg in the top flight

7 - Marseille have recorded seven straight home wins in Ligue 1, their best run in over a decade

6 - The number of goals scored by Ansu Fati in just five appearances for Monaco

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Paris Saint-Germain v Strasbourg (1845)

Saturday

Nice v Lyon (1500), Angers v Monaco (1700), Marseille v Le Havre (1905)

Sunday

Lens v Paris FC (1300), Toulouse v Metz, Rennes v Auxerre, Lorient v Brest (all 1515), Nantes v Lille (1845)

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