Monaco may be a micro-state, but it will soon host a second football club. Unlike the long-established AS Monaco, founded a century ago and a fixture in elite football, Monaco United FC is launching this year from the very beginning. “Well, not *entirely* from scratch, it *is* Monaco after all,” joked World Cup winner and club ambassador Adil Rami during the club`s official unveiling.
The chosen location for the presentation, the Méridien hotel overlooking the Mediterranean, held particular significance for club founder Marco Simone. “Twenty-five years ago, in this very hotel, I signed my contract with an exceptional, historic club – AS Monaco. That club gave me the opportunity to become French champion, and it`s something I will never forget,” said the Italian. However, he was keen to stress that Monaco United FC is not being created to compete with his former side. “We are not here to be a nuisance,” Simone stated, adding that the new club`s substantial financial backing would “help the project.”
Morris Pagniello, founder of partner Racing City Group, reinforced this message: “Our biggest rival today is ourselves. We`ve come to complement, not compete [with AS Monaco], and we are here to build something new.” He highlighted that the focus on Women`s football, a core part of the Racing City Group initiative, specifically helps avoid overlap, as AS Monaco does not have a women`s team (though there is a Monaco FF team in the D3 league).
“Our mission is ambitious,” began Racing City Group CEO Justin Davis. “We want to create one of the biggest and best clubs and be a leader in women`s football… this necessitates significant investment.” Their major target is to reach the D1 Arkéma league within four years.
The Monaco United Women`s team will start at a low level, likely the fourth or fifth tier. The precise starting point and many other details, including team composition and coaching staff, are still being finalized. To be ready for the upcoming season starting in September, preparations must be accelerated. Houleye Deme, a former player for ASM FF, is already part of the setup, but there is still a long road ahead. Although the project has been planned for the past year, the team acknowledges the need for rapid progress in the coming weeks to ensure competitiveness next season.
A notable reveal was that Adil Rami intends to play for Monaco United. “I always dreamed of playing for Monaco, so there you go. I`ll play a bit,” Rami confirmed when asked about his role. Simone jokingly added, “It`s a nice deal to give [the project] visibility. You could say he`s our first official player!”
Similar to the women`s team, there is a long-term vision for the men`s side, aiming for a mix of local and international players. Racing City Group`s existing scouting network and extensive academy infrastructure across Oceania, Europe, and North America will assist in building squads for the various teams under the Monaco United FC umbrella, eventually including youth academy sides.
Simone announced that a deal has been struck allowing the club to train and play at the Stade Didier Deschamps, situated in the shadow of the iconic arches of the Stade Louis II, AS Monaco`s home ground. It`s a stadium they hope to eventually outgrow, but achieving that goal requires significant effort.
Davis commented on a perceived lack of excitement surrounding women`s football in Monaco. However, Pagniello conveyed great optimism, stating an objective to “fill this stadium and bring the Women`s team to a Champions League final.” Progress towards this grand ambition begins with the immediate task of building the team, which is the short-term priority within this highly ambitious, long-term project that has the potential to reshape the footballing landscape within the Principality.
