AGP Executive Report

Scotland Football: Sebastien Pocognoli is confirmed as Steve Clarke’s successor, with the former Monaco boss (and Union Saint-Gilloise title winner) set to lead Scotland into the Nations League on a two-year deal, backed by SFA chiefs after a search that challenged “myths” about what makes the best international managers. Monaco Spotlight: Pocognoli’s appointment keeps Monaco in the spotlight again, as the Belgian’s coaching path includes a stint at AS Monaco in 2025 before moving north. Local Culture: La Turbie launches “From Asia to La Turbie,” a community art exhibition running 29-30 August, partnered with Fondation Flavien to support children’s cancer care. Princess Charlene & Sport: The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation backs young athletes through the inaugural “What Gravity Challenge,” bringing elite high-jump training to Monaco Athletics Club youngsters. Travel Disruption: EasyJet cancellations hit French routes, including Nice, after a cabin crew strike grounded around 100 flights, with more disruption possible into early September. Crime Update (Nice): A British man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed three times near Nice’s main station; a neighbour intervened before police arrived. Football Transfers (Monaco links): Reports say Fenerbahçe winger Anthony Musaba is close to a season-long loan to Norwich, and Eintracht Frankfurt are weighing goalkeeper options including a possible return for Monaco’s Noah Atubolu.

Scotland Football: Sebastien Pocognoli has been confirmed as Scotland’s new head coach on a two-year deal, replacing Steve Clarke, with the Belgian promising “evolution not revolution” and urging the Tartan Army to embrace change ahead of a Nations League opener in Ljubljana on Sept 26. Monaco Transfer Watch: AS Monaco have stepped up their pursuit of Algerian winger Fares Ghedjemis, submitting a new offer as Celtic and Rangers exit the race and Besiktas remain in the mix. Liverpool Pre-Season Buzz: Virgil van Dijk says new centre-back pairing Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo looked promising in their Como win, but admits chemistry will take time. Local Storm Aftermath: River Valley residents reported downed trees, power cuts and road closures after Monday’s storm, with thousands still without electricity and water conservation measures in place. F1/Tech Spotlight: Formula E is moving into its Gen4 era with sweeping changes aimed at faster racing and a bigger push beyond street circuits. Celeb Culture: Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton’s new romance keeps dominating headlines, with Kanye West weighing in on the relationship.

Monaco Sports: Monaco’s sporting calendar is heating up: 17 athletes are set for the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, with padel making its debut for the Principality and Monaco also entering equestrian for the first time. Local Football & Community: Monaco also scored a cultural win off the pitch, registering its first armwrestling club, aiming for training, competitions and an anti-doping stance. Monaco Football Connections: Monaco’s name keeps popping up in big football talk—Liverpool’s pre-season ended with a 2-0 win over Como after an earlier Anfield loss to AS Monaco, while Monaco-linked Sebastien Pocognoli has been confirmed as Scotland’s new coach. Monaco Travel & Business: Monaco ended Monacair’s exclusive helicopter route to Nice, allowing a second operator to run scheduled services to 31 December 2026, with a capped basic fare of €195. Monaco in the Wider Spotlight: PSG’s summer spending spree continues with Mika Godts joining from Ajax, adding to a stacked attack that already includes Bradley Barcola and others linked to Liverpool.

Scotland Football: Former AS Monaco boss Sébastien Pocognoli has been confirmed as Scotland’s new head coach on an initial two-year deal, replacing Steve Clarke after the World Cup group-stage exit. The 39-year-old Belgian, who won the 2024-25 title with Union Saint-Gilloise, says he wants to give Scotland a team “to be proud of” and is set to start with Nations League matches. Monaco-to-UK Connections: Pocognoli’s appointment makes him Scotland’s first foreign manager since Berti Vogts, and it underlines how Monaco coaching talent is still feeding into major international roles. Liverpool Pre-Season: Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool closed pre-season with a 2-0 win over Como at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo and debutant Jérémy Jacquet scoring, as the club looks to use its early one-game-a-week schedule before Champions League begins. PSG Transfer Watch: PSG left Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye out of the Trophee des Champions squad, keeping Liverpool’s summer pursuit in focus. Finance Regulation: Nigeria’s SEC has tightened rules to cut ties with institutions linked to North Korea and reject Iranian financial transactions, aimed at tackling illicit finance.

Monaco Football & Sports: AS Monaco’s former coach Sébastien Pocognoli is the frontrunner to become Scotland’s next manager, with the SFA close to finalizing talks after his success at Union Saint-Gilloise and a stint at Monaco. Liverpool vs Como (Anfield): Liverpool wrap up pre-season with a Como double-header at Anfield—11:30am behind closed doors and 6:00pm with fans—both streamed on All Red Video; Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones are in contention, while Joe Gomez is out. PSG Transfer Push: Paris Saint-Germain strengthened their attack by signing Ajax winger Mika Godts on a five-year deal (reported €55m with bonuses), following Ferran Torres’ arrival from Barcelona, a move that could further shape Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola talks. Finance/Compliance: The SEC ordered capital market firms to cut correspondent banking links and restrict dealings tied to North Korea and Iran, citing updated FATF risk guidance. Monaco & Crypto Regulation: Monaco is moving to align crypto-asset rules with the EU’s MiCA framework.

Monaco Football: Former AS Monaco coach Sébastien Pocognoli is closing in on the Scotland job after Steve Clarke stepped down. The 39-year-old Belgian, recently sacked by Monaco, led Union Saint-Gilloise to a 90-year league title and is expected to be confirmed early next week, becoming Scotland’s first foreign head coach since Berti Vogts. PSG & Monaco Links: PSG have completed the €55m signing of Belgian winger Mika Godts from Ajax, while the club’s summer business is also fueling fresh Liverpool speculation around Bradley Barcola. Transfers Watch: Newcastle have made contact with Bayern over Joao Palhinha, and Man Utd have lodged an enquiry for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as they look to add to their squad. Local/International Policy: Nigeria’s SEC ordered capital market firms to restrict dealings tied to North Korea and Iran, citing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing risks.

Monaco Football Buzz: AS Monaco’s pre-season run hit a snag as Coventry City beat them 2-0, with Ellis Simms and Loum Tchaouna scoring and Frank Lampard praising the team’s “performances and attitude.” Transfer Watch: Coventry’s big new name is Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, who impressed on debut after a reported club-record $30m move. Liverpool Ahead of the Season: Andoni Iraola says Liverpool’s double-header vs Como is a key test, but admits they must improve consistency after defeats including Monaco. PSG Power Move: Ferran Torres has completed his switch from Barcelona to PSG on a deal to 2031 after World Cup glory, as Barcelona pushes to accelerate sales and hit €100m-plus. Monaco Business/Policy: Monaco has tabled a draft bill to align crypto-asset rules with the EU’s MiCA regime.

Monaco Football Buzz: AS Monaco are reportedly probing Como for midfielder Maxence Caqueret as they plan for possible exits after Lamine Camara’s high demand and Aladji Bamba’s move to Newcastle. Transfer Window Pressure: Elsewhere in Europe, Liverpool’s pursuit of PSG winger Bradley Barcola is still alive but complicated by PSG’s steep £145m asking price, with reports saying the Reds have paused talks and may wait for a late-window shift. Monaco on the Pitch: Coventry City wrapped pre-season with a 2-0 friendly win over AS Monaco, with Ellis Simms and Loum Tchaouna scoring in the first half. Local Business & Innovation: Epochal Corporation has opened a Monaco office, positioning the Principality as a European research and portfolio base alongside Dubai. Sport Beyond Football: Formula E is set for a new global home on Disney+ from 2026/27, with Monaco listed among the race stops.

Road Closures: Monaco is set for major Ocean’s filming disruptions from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August, with daily 5am-10am road closures and parking restrictions starting as early as 3am across Monte-Carlo, Port Hercule and Larvotto. Formula E & F1 Buzz: Formula E boss Jeff Dodds says F1 stars “drooled” over the Gen4 car at Monaco, praising its 804bhp and permanent all-wheel drive ahead of the London finale. Monaco Liberation Commemoration: The Principality will mark the 82nd anniversary of its liberation with a formal Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday 3 September at 4pm at Monaco Cemetery. Yacht Show Design: The Monaco Yacht Show is replacing its Yacht Design & Innovation Hub with a single Designer Gallery to bring studios closer to the docks and superyachts. Local Culture Spotlight: Isabella Star LaBlanc discusses Indigenous storytelling and community-building in a Princess Grace Foundation-USA feature. EU Packaging Rules: New EU packaging and waste regulations take effect, pushing reusable/recoverable designs and higher recycled content targets.

Monaco Crypto Overhaul: Monaco has filed a bill to scrap its 2022 crypto law and align licensing and oversight for crypto-asset firms with the EU’s MiCA regime, giving regulators wider powers and clearer rules for allowed services. AS Monaco Football Fallout: Chelsea have stepped up their push for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara after Palace’s bid was rejected, while Monaco are also reportedly moving to terminate Paul Pogba’s contract following another injury-hit return. PSG Transfer Buzz: PSG have agreed a deal in principle to sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, with the fee reported around €50m, as Luis Enrique reshapes his squad. Sporting Monaco Connections: Formula E team Envision Racing says Sebastien Buemi and Joel Eriksson will leave after the London finale, with Buemi’s best win including the Monaco E-Prix. Travel Disruption: Mount Etna ash has kept Catania airport shut through Friday, disrupting summer travel for thousands. Local Lifestyle & Luxury: A Monaco-born Beefbar is set to open in Soho, taking over Dear Jackie’s space.

France Football: Zinedine Zidane has reunited with Monaco legend Fabien Barthez, naming him France goalkeeper coach as Zidane starts building toward Euro 2028. Monaco Law & Finance: Monaco has filed a bill to overhaul its crypto rules, replacing the 2022 regime with a MiCA-aligned licensing framework and tougher CCAF oversight. AS Monaco Transfers: Monaco has opened talks with Cruz Azul’s Erik Lira, but any progress hinges on Folarin Balogun’s next move; meanwhile Lamine Camara remains a hot target, with Chelsea joining Liverpool and Manchester United in the chase after Monaco rejected Crystal Palace’s bid. Sport & Business: Monaco’s decade-long push to cut single-use plastic is marked by a new exhibition, while Formula E’s Sebastien Buemi confirms he’ll retire after the London E-Prix, moving into an advisory role. Local Life: Monaco’s financial and insurance sector remains the top earner in 2025, with average gross monthly pay of €11,360, according to IMSEE.

Monaco Football & Transfers: AS Monaco is reportedly moving to terminate Paul Pogba’s contract early, with talks aimed at a mutual split before Sept. 1 after a season blighted by injuries under new coach Filipe Luis. Premier League Rumours: Tottenham insist they’re not pursuing Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, despite links after his World Cup goals and a Monaco deal running to 2028. UEFA Super Cup (Monaco-linked): PSG beat Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg to retain the UEFA Super Cup, with Désiré Doué scoring the winner after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opener and Villa’s equaliser from 17-year-old Brian Madjo. Local Monaco Interest: Chelsea have joined the chase for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, though any deal would depend on offloading midfielders; Monaco value him around €50m. Monaco in Sports Culture: Turkish IBF lightweight champ Elif Nur Turhan—who won her world title in Monaco—has signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Royal & Humanitarian: King Charles and Prince Albert II sent condolences to Colombia after a deadly 7.4 earthquake.

AS Monaco Football: Paul Pogba’s Monaco comeback is in serious doubt after a fresh thigh injury in England, with reports saying the club is negotiating an early contract termination by mutual agreement (aiming to wrap talks by September 1). UEFA Super Cup (Monaco-linked): PSG and Aston Villa meet in Salzburg for the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, with Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche expected to feature for PSG after his move from Monaco. Transfers & Monaco talent: Folarin Balogun remains a hot name in the market, with Tottenham and other clubs linked as he weighs options after a strong World Cup and a Monaco spell. Monaco in sport calendar: Monaco will host the Grand Départ of La Vuelta 2026 (Aug 20-23), including a Monaco-only opening time trial and a ceremonial start at Place du Palais Princier. Local life & culture: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene expressed condolences to Colombia after a deadly 7.4 earthquake, echoing Monaco’s solidarity with the affected region.

AS Monaco Football: Monaco are reportedly in talks to terminate Paul Pogba’s contract after another injury setback during pre-season, with the club seeking a financial settlement so the 33-year-old can move on before the September 1 window deadline. Transfer Watch: Tottenham have opened discussions with Monaco over striker Folarin Balogun, valued at about €60m, as Spurs look to boost their attack. Royal & Culture: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene sent messages of solidarity to Colombia after a deadly 7.4 quake, and the Prince also hosted the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra’s emotional farewell concert for director Kazuki Yamada. Motorsport (Monaco ties): Disney+ has secured global streaming rights for Formula E from 2026/27, with Monaco listed among future stops. Sports on the Horizon: PSG and Aston Villa meet in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday, the first major trophy of the season.

Monaco Local Policy: Monaco is set to ban disposable plastic food containers from 1 September, targeting single-use boxes, trays and salad bowls for most ready-to-eat meals sold across the Principality, with exemptions for lids/closures and some coated or freshness-needed packaging. Monaco Community & Culture: Prince Albert II attended the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra’s final summer concert in the Palace courtyard, marking the farewell of artistic director Kazuki Yamada. Monaco Inclusion in Business: The Mairie de Monaco is calling for an operator to run a new inclusive snack bar kiosk at Place d’Armes, with the job required to place people with disabilities into a mainstream team. Monaco Sports Spotlight (regional): Monaco’s name is also in the headlines via the Liverpool pre-season friendly, where the Reds lost 3-2 at Anfield after leading 2-0—another reminder of the pressure Andoni Iraola says his squad can’t yet sustain for 90 minutes. Monaco Lifestyle: The Club Suisse de Monaco’s National Day-style celebration at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel highlighted Swiss-Monegasque integration through music, performances and a newly premiered anthem track.

Liverpool & Monaco Friendly: Andoni Iraola’s side fell 3-2 at Anfield after squandering a two-goal lead again, with the boss admitting Liverpool “can’t sustain the level” for 90 minutes. Monaco Connections: Former Reds forward Takumi Minamino returned to Anfield with a big smile, while Monaco’s comeback capped a lively pre-season. Defence Overhaul: Liverpool confirmed Ronald Araújo on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with a £47m option to buy and the unorthodox No.33 shirt. Debut Reaction: New signing Victor Munoz thanked fans after his first 30 minutes in a Reds shirt. Transfer Watch: Reports also keep Bradley Barcola in the mix as PSG push through other deals. PSG Move: PSG strengthened at left back by signing Lucas Digne from Aston Villa on a three-year deal. Sport Beyond Football: Jakob Ingebrigtsen won 5,000m gold in Birmingham for a seventh European title.