Monaco's training ground, carved into a hillside above the principality, overlooks the Côte d'Azur. It is the sort of glamorous setting expected for a football team in one of the world's richest corners. Fifteen nationalities file out of the changing rooms and on to the pitch to be coached by an Austrian, driving home the club's eclectic nature.
They are the senior partner in a multi-club operation that involves one other team: Cercle Brugge, who were bought in 2017. Whereas others stockpile clubs, two is the height of the ambition here, the thinking being that it provides agility but ensures focus. Clubs live and die by recruitment and investing in another team allows more access to talent and increased scope to develop it.
Today Monaco travel to Arsenal in the Champions League and tomorrow Cercle are in Ljubljana to face Olimpija in the Conference League. The project appears to be working. Multinational acquisitions have helped Monaco and their coach, Adi Hütter, create a physical and intense team with flair in the attacking third. Training takes place in numerous languages: the goalkeepers are spoken to in English, while Portuguese, French and German are thrown into the mix by the rest of the squad.
Denne historien er fra December 11, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 11, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Saudi storm FA warned to avoid protest unless boycotting World Cup
The Football Association board has been warned by voices in internal discussions to avoid protesting at today's meeting that will confirm Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 men's World Cup, unless it is willing to boycott the tournament.
ECB ready to extend KP's controversial Hundred deal
Exclusive
Villa ride luck after Barkley's winner sinks spirited Leipzig
After Jhon Durán scored, another ludicrously powerful strike within seven minutes of entering the field, he celebrated by showing the Aston Villa supporters the palms of his hands, as if to say, calm down, what else did you possibly expect?
Celtic close in on playoff spot despite misfiring in Zagreb draw
Received wisdom before kick-off at Stadion Maksimir was that this was the ideal time to face Dinamo Zagreb.
Salah keeps cool from the spot to crown Alisson's happy return
Liverpool's perfect Champions League continued and a new record was completed with a sixth win and a fifth clean sheet.
Eclectic Monaco model thriving with a little help in Bruges
Arsenal's opponents tonight have a policy of buy young, sell high, that works for them and their Belgian sister club
Arteta turns to Tierney amid spate of injuries
Kieran Tierney is set to feature for Arsenal for the first time in more than 16 months after Mikel Arteta revealed he expected to be without several key defenders for tonight's Champions League meeting with Monaco.
Guardiola rules out managing another club after City
Pep Guardiola has ruled himself out of managing another club after Manchester City due to a waning of his energy levels, stating an international coaching position would be of interest to him as his next role.
Saudi Arabia's journey from 90s novelty to World Cup power grab
As Cristiano Ronaldo and Newcastle can attest, the 2034 hosts-elect are now at heart of football politics
Harris to leave Millwall after 'mutual decision'
Neil Harris will step down as Millwall manager for a second time after Saturday's Championship game at Middlesbrough.
