Ligue 1 Monaco hires coach Sébastien Pocognoli from Union Saint-Gilloise

MONACO (AP) — Ligue 1 club Monaco hired coach Sébastien Pocognoli from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday, a day after firing Adi Hütter.

Eight-time champion Monaco said Pocognoli had signed a deal until June 2027. The 38-year-old Belgian coach guided Union Saint-Gilloise to the league title last season — its first championship in 90 years.

Pocognoli made 13 appearances for Belgium as a left back and retired from playing four years ago.

Hütter led Monaco to a second and third-place finish in the last two years but the club is fifth after seven matches this season and has one point after two Champions League games.

That included a 4-1 loss at Belgian side Club Brugge.

Hütter struggled to find the right balance last season and during this campaign, where Monaco has the most goals in Ligue 1 with 16 but among the worst defenses after 12 conceded.

Monaco’s next game is at Angers next Saturday.

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