Monaco dismiss Pocognoli and line up Filipe Luís as head coach

What happened

AS Monaco have removed Sébastien Pocognoli from his post and lined up Filipe Luís as his replacement, with the Brazilian's appointment expected to be confirmed in the first days of June on a contract reported to run until 2028. The club has officially announced Pocognoli's departure; the deal for Filipe Luís, according to Foot Mercato, is agreed but yet to be formally rubber-stamped.

Why it matters

Monaco have opted for a striking, left-field choice. Filipe Luís arrives off the back of a trophy-laden spell in Brazil but has never coached in Europe, and his move carries an unusual administrative wrinkle: he holds a CONMEBOL coaching licence rather than the UEFA Pro Licence, and reports indicate the club is prepared to absorb a fine of around €25,000 per match while it pursues an exemption. The overhaul follows a disappointing campaign that left the Principality side seventh in Ligue 1.

Context

Pocognoli had only taken charge in October, stepping in after Adi Hütter's exit, and lasted a single season before the club moved on. His successor-in-waiting, 40-year-old Filipe Luís, is a former Atlético Madrid and Brazil left-back who turned to coaching after retiring in late 2023. In barely 18 months at Flamengo he assembled a remarkable haul — most notably the 2025 Brazilian championship and Copa Libertadores double — and Monaco would be his first job outside his homeland.

What to watch next

The immediate marker is the official confirmation and unveiling, expected within days, which will turn the reported agreement into a signed appointment. From there, attention falls on whether the licensing exemption is granted or the matchday fine kicks in, the composition of his backroom staff, and how aggressively Monaco move in a summer rebuild after a season that fell short.