AS Monaco have sacked head coach Sébastien Pocognoli less than eight months after appointing him following the club’s failure to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The Ligue 1 side confirmed the decision on Monday after a disappointing end to the 2025/26 campaign saw Monaco finish seventh in the league table.
The result means the Principality club will compete in the UEFA Conference League play-offs rather than Europe’s elite competition next season.
In a statement announcing the decision, the club said: “AS Monaco announces the end of its collaboration with Sebastien Pocognoli at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season.”
Pocognoli arrived in October 2025 from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise to replace Adi Hütter and initially oversaw a revival in fortunes.
The 38-year-old guided Monaco on a 10-match unbeaten run that briefly put Champions League qualification within reach.
However, the team’s form deteriorated sharply during the closing weeks of the season, collecting just five points from a possible 18 in their final six league matches.
The slump ultimately left Monaco in seventh place and outside the Champions League qualification spots.
Pocognoli leaves with a record of 16 wins, nine draws and 13 defeats from 38 matches in charge.
Monaco were also eliminated from the Champions League knockout phase play-offs by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain during his tenure.
Assistant coaches Kevin Mirallas and Artur Kopyt have also departed the club, while three other staff members were relieved of their duties as part of a wider restructuring process.
Reports in French and international media have identified former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luís as the leading candidate to replace Pocognoli.
The Brazilian coach left Flamengo earlier this year after guiding the club to Copa Libertadores success.
Monaco are expected to announce a new manager in the coming weeks as preparations begin for the 2026/27 season.
