Fabrizio Romano claims manager who praised 'top level' Newcastle United will join new club ahead of Spurs
Union Saint-Gilloise head coach Sebastien Pocognoli is reportedly close to joining another Champions League club.
Sebastien Pocognoli is on the verge of leaving Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise to join Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who has claimed Monaco have chosen Pocognoli to replace Adi Hutter.
The former West Bromwich Albion and Brighton left-back led Union SG to the Belgian title last season and helped the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
After winning their first-ever Champions League match 3-1 against PSV Eindhoven, Union SG were brought back down to earth by Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, who strolled to a 4-0 win in Brussels last week.
Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes scored either side of two Anthony Gordon penalties at Lotto Park, home of Anderlecht. Union SG aren’t able to play European matches at their home ground as it does not meet UEFA standards.
After losing heavily to Newcastle, Union then suffered their first domestic defeat of the season as Club Brugge claimed a 1-0 win ahead of the October international break.
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Sebastien Pocognoli praises Newcastle United after record Champions League win
Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Pocognoli’s side represented a record win for The Magpies in the Champions League, surpassing the 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at St James’ Park two years prior.
“We had the reality of the game and the difference in the level between the two teams,” Pocognoli said after the match. “We expected that. We need to be competitive and to be competitive, everything must be perfect.
“We need to dominate all the elements in the match for it to be in our favour.
“Maybe the opponent sometimes can be condescending, to look down on you. [Newcastle] didn't, they paid us full respect.
“They played a big match with their skills and qualities. They played top level, all the Newcastle players played top level, so it shows that they had great respect for us.
“To impose our game the way we play, we need to be stronger in face-to-face oppositions. All my players must be playing 200 per cent, actually, to maybe have a match where we could create a surprise."
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Union SG manager set to leave
Just over a week later, Pocognoli is on the verge of leaving Union SG to take up the head coach role at Monaco.
The club are looking to replace current boss Hutter despite a fairly solid start to the new season which has them sitting 5th in the Ligue 1 table, three points behind leaders PSG.
Monaco also picked up a credible 2-2 draw with Manchester City last time out in the Champions League to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat to Club Brugge in their opening match in the competition.
The international break often gives clubs an opportunity to make managerial changes and Monaco are looking to make the most of the opportunity.
On Thursday morning, Romano tweeted: “AS Monaco are closing in on the appointment of Sebastien Pocognoli as their new head coach. Pocognoli will replace Adi Hütter.”