With La Diagonale, training more than ever at the heart of the AS Monaco project
AS Monaco recognized its training center on Thursday September 8, 2022. A brand new tool, which is part of the club’s DNA, namely putting training at the forefront of its strategy.
There was wind, sunshine and above all a lot of smiles as we walked through the doors of La Diagonale. But before discovering the imposing red and white building, a veritable nest of AS Monaco’s young shoots, Prince Albert II symbolically cut the ribbon formalizing the inauguration, with a pair of scissors distributed by Mamadou Coulibaly, resident of the center training and recently turned professional with his training club, also a member of the Young Champions for Peace of Peace & Sport.
A big thank you from all Cap-d’Aillois and lovers of AS Monaco, for the great happiness you have given us by allowing the club to regain its place at the forefront of French football.
Xavier Beck, Mayor of Cap d’Ail
A strong symbolism for the club, which intends to place its young shoots more than ever at the center of its project. “This new, very modern working tool will allow AS Monaco to further strengthen its level of requirements, but also the existing bridges between the Academy and the professional group.said Jean-Emmanuel de Witt, general manager of the club. We trust our young people and we believe in them. The proof today with Maghnes Akliouche, Benoît Badiashile, Eliot Matazo, Soungoutou Magassa, Felix Lemarechal or Yllan Okou, who are all part of the professional group. »
A desire to modernize the club’s infrastructure
After the delivery during the 2019-2020 season of the Loges des Légendes at the Louis II stadium, an ultra-modern space financed by the Government with boxes that can accommodate VIP customers and the La Turbie Performance Center, performed at the beginning of the month and which hosts all the services of the first team, AS Monaco has unveiled its ultimate project: La Diagonale. The third and final part of the investments of the club and the Prince’s Government.
The opportunity for the mayor of Cap-d’Ail, Xavier Beck, to thank President Rybolovlev “on behalf of all Cap-d’Aillois and lovers of AS Monaco, for the great happiness you have given us by allowing the Club to regain its place at the forefront of French football. » Speeches concluded by Jean-Emmanuel de Witt, who made a point of “to ask His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, for his unfailing support, as well as the Prince’s Government, which carried out and financed this project. »
Functional for almost two years already, the inauguration of the new complex was finally able to take place, after several reports due to the health crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the presence in particular of Ekaterina Rybolovleva (member of the Board of Directors of AS Monaco), Juan Sartori (Vice-president of AS Monaco), Pierre Dartout (Minister of State) or even Jean Castellini (Minister of Finance and the Economy of the Prince’s Government), AS Monaco opened the doors of La Diagonale, for a complete visit of the premises.
Immediately immersed in the world of AS Monaco once through the doors, with a giant screen where Kylian Mbappé, Valère Germain, Abdou Diallo and a large part of the players trained at ASM send their encouragement to young people in a video message of the club, the relaxation and classroom rooms as well as the offices are revealed on the ground floor.
Composed of six levels, the building bringing together on the same site all the young talents of the Academy, formerly housed in the bowels of the Louis II stadium, includes many corners. On the different floors, the accommodation area, the cafeteria and the care and physical preparation areas have been designed. Within block A, 23 single rooms and 12 double rooms have been installed, while in block B, no less than 22 independent studios for adults are available.
Schooling at the heart of the educational project
For this 2022-2023 season, 69 players divided between the Elite group, the U19s and the U17s occupy La Diagonale, under the supervision of 60 members of the technical staff (coaches and staff, performance/medical department, recruitment, daily life , schooling).
Arrived at the club four seasons ago, the young goalkeeper of but Alain Zadi (18 years old) was in the front row to witness the evolution of the infrastructures. “The new center is much more modern, the premises are brighthe attributed during the inauguration. We have a great work tool, where you can flourish as an athlete but also as a young man. »
It is indeed thanks to its school structure that La Diagonale shines at the highest level of French training centers. With still 100% success in the Baccalaureate in this summer of 2022, the Academy is thus distinguished by the extensive support of its apprentice footballers at school. A mark of excellence, which confirms that the red and white training center is one of the most efficient in France.
“I think we have one of the best training centers in the French championshipsaid Pascal De Maesschalck, director of young player development Already, on the potential of the building and the infrastructures. But also the way we manage to combine football with the education of our young players! »
Among the first clubs in the French championship to set up a training center in the late 1970s, with President Jean-Louis Campora, AS Monaco trained no less than five world champions: Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Petit, David Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram, Kylian Mbappe. A list that could grow in the years to come thanks to this new training center.