Ligue 1: Monaco Sacks Coach Pocognoli After Seven Months

French Ligue 1 side Monaco has parted ways with Belgian head coach Sebastien Pocognoli following a seventh-place finish that left the club without Champions League football for next season.

The club confirmed the dismissal on Monday, ending Pocognoli’s tenure which lasted just under eight months. He still had one year remaining on his contract.

Monaco will feature in the UEFA Conference League play-offs after a campaign that ultimately fell short of expectations.

The 38-year-old former Belgium international was appointed in October 2025, taking over from Adi Hutter after leaving Union Saint-Gilloise. After a sluggish start, he guided Monaco on a 10-match unbeaten run that pushed the team into contention for a top-three spot. However, a poor finish to the season cost them a place in the Champions League qualification spots.

Pocognoli leaves alongside his two assistants, Kevin Mirallas and Artur Kopyt. Three other staff members had already been dismissed in recent days.

According to media reports, former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis, 40, is the leading candidate to take over. He left Brazilian club Flamengo in March after winning the Copa Libertadores with them last year.