Monaco, though a micro-state, will now be home to a second football club. AS Monaco, established a century ago, has long competed at the highest level for decades. This year, Monaco United FC is starting from scratch. “Well, not completely from scratch, it is Monaco after all,” quipped World Cup winner Adil Rami, the club`s ambassador, during the club`s unveiling.
The presentation venue, the Méridien hotel overlooking the Mediterranean, held particular significance for club founder Marco Simone. “Exactly 25 years ago, in this same hotel, I signed my contract with an exceptional, historic club – AS Monaco,” the Italian recalled. “That club gave me the opportunity to become French champion. It`s something I can never forget.” However, he stressed that Monaco United FC is not being created to rival his former team. “We are not here to cause trouble,” Simone stated, adding that the new club`s significant financial backing will “aid the project.”
“Our biggest rival today is ourselves,” added Morris Pagniello, founder of Racing City Group, the project`s partner. “We have come to complement, not compete [with AS Monaco], and we are here to build something new.” A core focus on Women`s football, central to the Racing City Group project, notably ensures Monaco United FC avoids direct conflict. AS Monaco does not currently have a women`s team (though Monaco FF competes in D3).
“Our mission is ambitious,” began Racing City Group CEO Justin Davis. “We want to create one of the biggest and best clubs and be one of the leaders in women`s football… this implies significant investment.” The key objective is ambitious: to reach D1 Arkéma within four years.
The Monaco United Women’s team will start in either the fourth or fifth tier. Their exact starting point is among many details still needing resolution. Besides administration, a team must be built and coaches appointed to be ready for the season start in September. Former ASM FF player Houleye Deme has joined, but considerable work remains. The club acknowledges that this year-long project must be accelerated in the coming weeks to ensure competitiveness for next season.
Rami Set to Play for Monaco United
The same applies to the Men’s side. “I always dreamed of playing for Monaco, so there you go. I’ll play a bit,” revealed Rami when asked about his involvement. “It`s a good arrangement to give [the project] visibility. You could say he`s our first official player!” Simone quipped.
Similar to the Women’s team, there is a long-term vision involving a mix of local and international players. Racing City Group`s scouting network, coupled with their extensive academy system across Oceania, Europe, and North America, will assist in the comprehensive squad creation process for the multiple sides under the Monaco United FC umbrella, including eventual academy teams.
Simone announced that an agreement has been reached allowing the club to train and play at the Stade Didier Deschamps, located near the iconic arches of the Stade Louis II, home to AS Monaco. This is a stadium they hope to eventually outgrow, but that will require work.
Pagniello Details Champions League Ambition
“I think there is a lack of excitement for women’s football. It is something that I feel is lacking here,” said Davis. However, there is great optimism about rapidly progressing the project. “The first thing is filling this stadium and bringing the Women’s team to a Champions League final,” Pagniello stated. Moving towards that objective starts with the immediate task of creating a team, the short-term focus for this highly ambitious, long-term project that could potentially alter the footballing landscape within the Principality.
