Emblematic Bruges resident, ambitious leader, modern coach, who is Philippe Clement, the new coach of AS Monaco?

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We are not dragging the issue of nomination in the Principality. As during the transfer of power between Leonardo Jardim and Robert Moreno, then between the Spanish technician and Niko Kovac, the successor of the Croatian coach was not long in being announced. Despite the surprise of the departure of the former Bayern Munich coach, the Monegasque club quickly positioned itself with the signing of Philippe Clement, from FC Bruges, formalized on Monday, January 3. The 47-year-old Belgian was the priority of Monegasque leaders, with the firm intention of getting a little closer to the French peaks. A sizeable challenge for a trainer that France will gain from knowing.

The man from Bruges

Before becoming a renowned coach across Quiévrain, Philippe Clement had a great playing career, spent almost exclusively, there too, in Belgium. A native of Antwerp, Clément made his ranges there, at the K. Beerschot VAC club, a history of Belgian football. It was in Genk, then especially at Club Bruges (with an interlude in 98-99 in Coventry, England) that the defensive midfielder converted to central defender, made a career, becoming international with the Red Devils (38 caps, one goal) and being selected for the World Cup 98 and Euro 2000. Strong with his 91 meter and recognized for the quality of his head game, Clement has become one of the emblematic men of the Bruges club, with whom he spent ten year. Before becoming its trainer since 2019, where he was hired … on a permanent contract, an incongruity in the world of professional sport.

A leader of men since always

In Le Plat Pays, it has long been said that Clement was made to become a coach. “In Genk as in the Devils, I noticed that he was predisposed for the function, explained Aimé Anthuenis, legend of Belgian coaching at RTBF. He was interested, asked questions, gave his opinion, behaved as a leader and had a great sense of the collective.“Trained at a good school as an assistant to another glory of the bench in Belgium, Michel Preud’homme, Clement has forged a solid reputation as a locker room manager.”He takes care of both reservists and incumbents, it’s very important, details Clinton Mata, player of Club Bruges. And a player who is a little behind, or in poor shape, or not well in his skin, he will pay attention“A good point, since the Monegasque group seemed weary of Niko Kovac’s methods.”The players are like my children“, summarized the main interested party at France Football in November 2020.

An ambitious, like Monaco

Despite a generally positive assessment, the Croatian coach paid cash for his style both in the game and in his philosophy. The Monegasque leaders have been quite impatient, looking for quick results and a return to the top of French football, as well as a solid European place. Exactly what Philippe Clement is looking for, The team announced the arrival on the Rock as a “an important step in his career”. “He is both stern and cool. And he can get mad and scream, Clinton Mata told RTBF. But then we never feel any meanness towards us. In fact, he is very ambitious, he always wants more and better, it is never enough, and every detail matters. That constantly boosts us.“And the recipe works, since Clement is three times reigning Belgian champion, with Genk in 2019 then Club Bruges in 2020 and 2021.

A modern offensive “à la Klopp”

If the Blauw in Zwart have attracted so much curiosity in recent seasons, especially in the Champions League – ask PSG, hung in Bruges last September (1-1) – they owe it in large part to their bench man. Philippe Clement advocates attacking football, between moving game, and high and fast pressing when the ball is lost. “Let’s say if you’re scared, defending for 90 minutes, maybe it’ll pass once in twenty, okay, but that’s it, analyzed the Belgian coach to France Football. We try to play offensively, but without being naive.“

The Belgian Coach of the Year 2019 and 2020 has sometimes been compared to a Jürgen Klopp by the importance of the freedom given to his players and by his adaptability, thanks to his solid tactical foundations. “He gives the game system then leaves the initiative“, said of him the former player Nordin Jbari to the RTBF. The example of the progression of the striker of the Club Bruges Charles de Ketelaere, repositioned from a role of playmaker to that of modern point with which he has delighted Europe in recent months, is significant from the Clement paw. “Our job is to give leads and solutions to the players so that they can create opportunities.“, he concluded with France Football. With creative assets like Wissam Ben Yedder, Kevin Volland or Sofiane Diop at his disposal, Clement has the ingredients to make a name for Louis-II.


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