Monaco boss Sébastien Pocognoli plays down job fears after Champions League rout by Real Madrid

Sébastien Pocognoli has dismissed suggestions his job as Monaco head coach could be at risk following a heavy defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Monaco fell behind early at the Bernabéu as Kylian Mbappé scored a rapid-fire brace. Madrid went on to win 6-1, with Jordan Teze’s second goal of the season offering cold comfort for the Ligue 1 club as their wretched run continued.

Languishing in 20th place in the Champions League standings, Monaco will need a win against Juventus at Stade Louis II later this month to advance to a knockout phase play-off. Things are little better domestically, where the club lies ninth in the league after suffering a 3-1 home defeat against Lorient last week. 

But while Monaco have lost seven of their past eight Ligue 1 outings – and three of their four games since the turn of the year, conceding 13 goals in the process – Pocognoli said he was unconcerned by mounting scrutiny of his tenure.

Sébastien Pocognoli: ‘I’m quite calm about my Monaco future’

“Regarding my future, I’m quite calm,” said the Belgian, who arrived in the principality three months ago with the club fourth in Ligue 1. “Because in my match preparations, I’ve always tried to contribute to the team’s attacking play. The results haven’t followed, but I can look ahead and say that we’re doing our best. 

“The results are difficult but, at some point, the results will return. I hope it will be with me. I have the strength and the conviction that my ideas will eventually be adopted by the club.”

Pocognoli, whose tenure has been plagued by injury problems, disciplinary issues and inconsistency, said there is nothing he would have done differently, either against Madrid or since he filled the void created by Adi Hütter’s dismissal as head coach last October.

Pocognoli: ‘I have no regrets about Monaco’s approach against Real Madrid’

“We had the space to play the game we had planned,” said the 38-year-old. “Real Madrid gave us the opportunity to have the ball and play behind their lines. I have no regrets about our approach to the match. 

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalise on it. We made poor decisions, there were some poor technical executions, and a lack of courage in certain decisions. We lost possession too often, which forced us into unnecessary transitions against players with immense quality. We gave away 90% of the goals, from situations where we weren’t in trouble.

“The facts speak for themselves: It’s not good for the team to be associated with this loss. As for our approach to the match, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was clearly what we had to do with the players we had available. I take responsibility; we have to take responsibility for our approach.

“My future isn’t up to me, but I wouldn’t change a single thing I’ve done so far. If I had done things differently, the situation would be even more difficult.”

Monaco travel to 14th-placed Le Havre on Saturday.