AS Monaco. Eviction of Kovac, dominant team… the summary of Philippe’s presentation
Philippe Clement became the new coach of AS Monaco. This Wednesday, January 5, the 47-year-old Belgian tactician was presented to the press. I didn’t think I would leave Bruges now, but there is always a project coming up
, he said in particular, he who had been at the head of Club Brugge since 2019.
Here is what to remember from his presentation.
Kovac dismissed because the team “did not express its full potential”
As a preamble to Philippe Clement’s presentation, Monegasque sports director Paul Mitchell, returned to the departure of Niko Kovac, thanked on 1uh January. We took stock, in particular with the majority shareholder. This analysis led us to this decision: the potential, the objectives, the ambition of this club were not satisfied. On a feeling that a change had to be made
, he explained.
Niko Kovac spent a year and a half at AS Monaco, from summer 2020 to January 1, 2021. © Joël le Gall / Ouest – France
We respect the work Niko has done over the past 16 months
, he continued. Together we have built a solid foundation for our project. But the performances from this summer until Christmas showed us that we were not expressing our full potential. In the first half of the year, we had shown positive positive signals, we considered that we had a head start to start this season. We also have the unwavering support of our shareholder for all our best players and we are strengthening. But we haven’t been in the top 5 once since the start of the season. We felt that we should increase this capacity to exploit the potential of ASM. In England, we often say that we have to be the rival of the favorite, and today we are 17 points behind the favorite in L1. (the PSG). This gap is far too great. “
Clément wants a “dominant team”
Praised for his ability to develop young people and for his offensive style, the Belgian gave some indications on his projects with Monaco. I always want to have a dominant team, which plays with a lot of commitment and desire. I used different systems but always with the idea of being dominant, whether in the championship or in the European Cup.
For his presentation, Philippe Clement (center) was accompanied by sports director Paul Mitchell (left) and Vice-President Oleg Petrov (right). © EPA / MAXPPP
“Create a family”
Another important point by Clément, the group unity. I want to create a family. That everyone wants to choose the same
, he announced. A solidarity that perhaps existed less in Monaco recently, knowing that Kovac was cold with certain executives in the locker room (Ben Yedder, Fofana).
READ ALSO. Ligue 1. Who is Philippe Clement, the new coach of AS Monaco?
In today’s world it’s a little more difficult than 20 years ago because the players have become more individualistic. It’s interesting to create that. We want to know the players, their mentality. It has been our strength in the past with different teams.