.jpg) Pocognoli playing forStandard Liège in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sébastien Jean Pocognoli[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1987-08-01)1 August 1987 (age 38) | ||
| Place of birth | Seraing, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Monaco (head coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2004 | Standard Liège | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2007 | Genk | 45 | (1) |
| 2007–2010 | AZ Alkmaar | 64 | (5) |
| 2010–2013 | Standard Liège | 85 | (2) |
| 2013–2014 | Hannover 96 | 30 | (0) |
| 2014–2017 | West Bromwich Albion | 16 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | →Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 20 | (1) |
| 2017–2020 | Standard Liège | 32 | (2) |
| 2020–2021 | Union SG | 7 | (0) |
| Total | 299 | (11) | |
| International career | |||
| 2002–2003 | Belgium U16 | 19 | (1) |
| 2003–2004 | Belgium U17 | 13 | (2) |
| 2004–2006 | Belgium U19 | 20 | (2) |
| 2006–2008 | Belgium U21 | 12 | (1) |
| 2008 | Belgium Olympic | 6 | (0) |
| 2008–2014 | Belgium | 13 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2021–2022 | Union SG U21 | ||
| 2022–2023 | Genk U18 | ||
| 2023–2024 | Belgium U18 | ||
| 2024–2025 | Union SG | ||
| 2025– | Monaco | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Sébastien Jean Pocognoli (born 1 August 1987) is a Belgianfootball coach and former player who is the head coach ofLigue 1 clubMonaco.
Aleft-back, Pocognoli played forStandard Liège,Genk,AZ Alkmaar,Hannover 96,West Bromwich Albion,Brighton & Hove Albion andUnion SG.
A Belgian youth international from under-16 to under-23 levels, he earned 13 caps for theBelgium senior national team.
Born inSeraing, Pocognoli is of Italian descent.[3][4]
Pocognoli revealed that his father worked next to the stadium.[5] Growing up, he revealed that he initially hated football, but thanks to his stubborn father, he grew to like football as a sport.[6]
Pocognoli began his career with the youth team ofStandard Liège, but left at the age of 15 to joinGenk,[3] where the club offered him a professional contract and felt Standard Liège would not give him first-team opportunities if he had stayed.[5]
Pocognoli made his Genk debut, where he came on as a substitute forMarco Ingrao in the second half, in a 1–0 win overGent on 9 April 2004, which was his sole appearance that season.[7] However, the new managerRené Vandereycken sent him to the reserve team the following season.[6] In 2006, he made a first-team breakthrough at the club,[6] and played his first game for the previous two years on 22 January 2006, where he made his first start and played 69 minutes before being substituted in a 2–1 loss againstCharleroi.[8] In the next game againstWesterlo on 28 January 2006, Pocognoli scored his first Genk goal (and his first professional goal), in a 2–0 win.[9] He finished the 2005–06 season with fifteen appearances and one goal.
Despite interest from clubs likeEredivisie sideAjax[10] andPremier League sideTottenham Hotspur,[11] Pocognoli ended up staying at the club and did well when he set up a goal forIvan Bošnjak, in a 1–1 draw against Standard Liège on 19 August 2006.[12] Three days later, Pocognoli signed a new contract with Genk, keeping him until 2008[13] and two months later, he signed another contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2011[6] Despite being sent–off for a second bookable offence againstSint-Truidense on 29 October 2006,[14] Pocognoli became a regular for the club during the 2006–07 season, making thirty–four appearances in all competition.[3] At the end of the 2006–07 season, Pocognoli was nominated for theYoung Player Footballer of the Year award, but lost out toLucas Biglia.[15]
On 20 June 2007, Pocognoli left Genk to joinEredivisie sideAZ Alkmaar, signing a five–year contract with them.[16] The fee was worth about €2.75 million.[17] Upon joining the club, Pocognoli revealed that he had an offer to joinBayer Leverkusen, but opted for AZ instead.[18]
Pocognoli made his AZ Alkmaar debut, where he came on as a substitute in the second half, in a 4–0 win overVVV-Venlo in the opening game of the season.[19] Pocognoli then scored his first goal for the club, in the UEFA Cup match, in a 1–0 win overPaços de Ferreira on 20 September 2007.[20] Pocognoli scored his first league goal for the club on 9 December 2007, in a 2–1 win overUtrecht[21] and his second later came on 22 January 2008, in a 2–1 loss againstNAC Breda.[22] Despite being absent several times,[23][24] Pocognoli went on to make thirty–three appearances and scoring three times in all competition, under the management ofLouis van Gaal.
In the 2008–09 season, Pocognoli continued to be in the first team regular at the club and then scored his first goal of the season, just coming on as a substitute, in a 3–3 draw againstHeerenveen on 1 November 2008.[25] His second goal for the club later came on 21 January 2009, in a 3–0 win overAchilles '29[26] and three days later on 24 January 2009, he scored again in a 2–0 win overDe Graafschap.[27] As the 2008–09 season, Pocognoli suffered an injury,[28] which kept him out for six weeks.[29] Despite this, he helped the club win the league for the first time since 1981 after title contenderAjax lost 6–2 toPSV Eindhoven on 18 April 2009.[30] Pocognoli went on to make twenty–seven appearances and scoring three times in all competition in the 2008–09 season.
Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Pocognoli surprisingly attracted interest fromLa Liga sideBarcelona.[31] He ended the transfer speculation when he signed a contract with the club on 14 June 2009, keeping him until 2014.[32] Pocognoli helped the club win theJohan Cruyff Shield, where he set up one of the goals, in a 5–1 win over Heereveen.[33] However, his first team opportunities was limited under the new management ofRonald Koeman, due to injury[34] and spent most of the first half of the season on the substitute bench. Despite this, Pocognoli set up one of the goals in the Group Stage match of the UEFA Champions League, in a 1–1 draw against Standard Liège on 9 December 2009[35] and then scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–0 win overADO Den Haag a week later on 19 December 2009.[36]
During his time at AZ, Pocognoli later credit Van Gaal for his role of helping his formation as a footballer.[37]
On 23 January 2010, Pocognoli was in a negotiation with a move toBelgian Pro League, signing for his former clubStandard Liège.[38] The move was confirmed the next day, where he signed a three–year contract, keeping him until 2014.[39][40] Upon joining the club, Pocognoli was given number thirty–five shirt for the new season.[41]
Pocognoli made his Standard Liege debut, where he made his first start and played the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against his former club, Genk on 7 February 2010,[42] followed up by scoring his first goal, in a 1–0 win over Westerlo in the next game.[43] Despite suffering from an injury,[44] Pocognoli returned to the first team from injury, where he set up one of the goals, in a 1–1 draw againstZulte Waregem on 14 March 2010.[45] Pocognoli went on to make sixteen appearances and score once in all competition in the second half of the season.
In the 2010–11 season, Pocognoli started well, scoring his first goal in a 4–0 win overLierse on 6 August 2010.[46] However, in a match againstSint-Truidense on 20 August 2010, Pocognoli was sent off after a second bookable offence, in a 1–0 loss.[47] Pocognoli was sent off for the second time this season after a second bookable, in a 1–0 win overGerminal Beerschot on 13 November 2010.[48] Despite suffering from an injury in the last game of the season,[49] Pocognoli finished the 2010–11 season, making forty appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
In the 2011–12 season, Pocognoli continued to become a first-team regular at left–back and did well when he set up the only goal in a 1–0 win over Zulte Waregem on 23 October 2011.[50] Two weeks later on 6 November 2011, Pocognoli, once again, set up one of the goals, in a 2–1 win overClub Brugge.[51] Three weeks later on 25 November 2011, Pocognoli then set up one of the goals, in a 3–2 win overMechelen.[52] Pocognoli went on to finish the 2011–12 season, making fifty–one appearances in all competition.
In the 2012–13 season, Pocognoli missed the opening game of the season after being suspended, but continued to manage his first-team place following his return.[53] However, Pocognoli suffered injuries in the first half of the season.[54][55] After almost absent for two months, Pocognoli returned to the first team, where he came on as a substitute in the second half, in a 6–1 win over Charleroi on 7 December 2012.[56] Pocognoli made eleven appearances in all competitions in the first half of the season at the club.
.JPG)
On 22 January 2013, Pocognoli left Belgium when he moved to German clubHannover 96, signing a three–year contract, keeping him until 2016.[57]
Pocognoli made his Hannover 96 debut againstWolfsburg three days later, where he made his first start, but in the 34th minute, he was sent off on his debut for the club.[58] After serving a three match suspension, Pocognoli made his first team return, where he made his second start, in a 5–1 win overHamburg on 23 February 2013.[59] In a match againstAugsburg on 30 March 2013, Pocognoli then set up one of the goals, in a 2–0 win.[60] Despite missing out, due to injuries,[61][62] Pocognoli finished the second half of the 2012–13 season, making eleven appearances in all competitions.
In the 2013–14 season, Pocognoli continued to keep his first-team place despite competing withChristian Pander over a left–back position.[63] Pocognoli continued to regain his left–back position in the first half of the season until he suffered injuries that affected most of the season.[64][65][66][67] Despite this, Pocognoli finished the 2013–14 season, making twenty appearances in all competition.
On 12 July 2014, Pocognoli left Hannover 96 to sign forPremier League sideWest Bromwich Albion for a fee of £1,500,000, signing a three–year contract, with a year's option.[68] Upon joining the club, Pocognoli was given the number fifteen shirt.[69]
After making his first start in the pre–season friendly game againstShrewsbury Town,[70] Pocognoli made his West Bromwich Albion debut, in the opening game of the season, playing the full 90 minutes of a 2–2 draw againstSunderland.[71] After missing a game, due to a thigh injury he sustained during a match againstSouthampton,[72] Pocognoli made his return from injury, in a 2–0 loss againstEverton on 13 September 2014.[73] However, as the 2014–15 season progressed, Pocognoli lost his first team place following the arrival of new managerTony Pulis, who preferredChris Brunt,Chris Baird andJoleon Lescott in the left back role,[74] as well as being hampered by injury concerns.[75][76] Pocognoli ended his first season at West Brom with 16 appearances to his name.
Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Pocognoli considered leaving the club, citing a lack of first team opportunities.[74] Though Pulis openly admitted Pocognoli could leave if the club's valuation was met,[77] Pocognoli stayed at the club throughout pre-season and made his first appearance of the season in a 3–0 loss againstNorwich City in the second round of League Cup.[78] After being placed on the transfer list by West Brom during the January 2016 transfer window,[79] Pocognoli was expected to leave the club, but no move materialised.[80] Following this, Pocognoli said he was still determined to fight for a first team place, having only made 4 appearances in the 2015–16 season.[81] Pocognoli finally made his first league appearance of the season, and set upSalomón Rondón to score the only goal, in a 1–0 win overManchester United on 6 March 2016.[82] This was to be his only Premier League appearance of the season.
On 30 August 2016, Pocognoli joinedFootball League Championship clubBrighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal following an injury to first-choice left-backLiam Rosenior.[83] Competing withGaëtan Bong for the left–back spot,[84] Pocognoli made his Brighton & Hove Albion debut in a 0–0 draw againstIpswich Town on 27 September 2016, playing the whole match.[85] He scored his first goal for Brighton in a 2–1 win overQueens Park Rangers on 7 April 2017.[86] At the end of the season, having made 20 Championship appearances, Pocognoli returned to West Brom and was released at the end of his contract.[87]
On 16 June 2017, Pocognoli returned toStandard Liège for a third stint at the club where he began his career.[88]
On 17 March 2018, he played as Standard Liege beatGenk 1–0 in extra time to win the2018 Belgian Cup Final and qualify for theUEFA Europa League.[89] He moved toUnion SG in January 2020.[90]
Pocognoli played youth football for Belgium atunder-16,under-17,under-19 andunder-21 level.[91] He was a squad member at the2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.[3] He also played at the2008 Summer Olympics, making 6 appearances at the tournament.[92][93]
After being called by thesenior team for the first time on 24 May 2008,[94] Pocognoli made his senior team debut on 30 May 2008, making his first start, in a 3–1 loss againstItaly,[2] and he has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.[92] While playing for the national team in 2009, Pocognoli was involved in a dressing room altercation with teammatesTimmy Simons andStijn Stijnen.[95]
Upon retiring from playing at the end of the 2020–21 season, he was hired byUnion SG to coach their under-21 team.[96]
After managingGenk's under-18 team and theBelgium under-18 team, in July 2024 he returned to Union SG as head coach of their first team.[97][98]
In his debut season as manager, Pocognoli guided Union SG to a historic league title, their first in 90 years. After finishing third in the regular season behind Genk and Club Brugge, his side went unbeaten in theChampionship Playoffs, winning nine of ten matches. A decisive 1–0 away victory over leaders Club Brugge and a final-day 3–1 win against Gent sealed the title and earned them a first-ever spot in theChampions League league phase.[99][100]
On 11 October 2025, Pocognoli was announced as the new head coach ofLigue 1 sideMonaco.[101]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Genk | 2005–06 | Belgian First Division | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 15 | 1 | |||
| 2006–07 | Belgian First Division | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 30 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 1 | ||
| AZ Alkmaar | 2007–08 | Eredivisie | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 5[c] | 1 | – | 33 | 3 | ||
| 2008–09 | Eredivisie | 25 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 26 | 3 | ||||
| 2009–10 | Eredivisie | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 5[d] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||
| Total | 64 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 78 | 7 | ||
| Standard Liège | 2009–10 | Belgian Pro League | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 5[f] | 0 | – | 15 | 1 | ||
| 2010–11 | Belgian Pro League | 34 | 1 | 6 | 0 | – | – | – | 40 | 1 | ||||
| 2011–12 | Belgian Pro League | 32 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 14[g] | 0 | 1[h] | 0 | 51 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Belgian Pro League | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | 10 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 85 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 116 | 2 | ||
| Hannover 96 | 2012–13 | Bundesliga | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2[f] | 0 | – | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Bundesliga | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | 20 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | ||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2014–15[104] | Premier League | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 16 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16[105] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2016–17[106] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 2016–17[106] | Championship | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 1 | ||
| Standard Liège | 2017–18 | Belgian Pro League | 24 | 2 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | 27 | 2 | |||
| 2018–19 | Belgian Pro League | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 3[i] | 0 | 1[h] | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
| Total | 32 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 2 | ||
| Union SG | 2019–20 | Belgian First Division B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21 | Belgian First Division B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 299 | 11 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 360 | 13 | ||
| Team | From | To | Record | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Union Saint-Gilloise | 7 July 2024 | 11 October 2025 | 69 | 39 | 15 | 15 | 056.52 | [107] |
| Monaco | 11 October 2025 | present | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 037.50 | [107] |
| Total | 93 | 48 | 21 | 24 | 051.61 | |||
AZ Alkmaar[103]
Standard Liege[108]
Union Saint-Gilloise
Individual
 | ||