Monaco CEO Acknowledges Plan for Pogba Needs Reevaluation

Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, has admitted that the club’s original strategy for managing midfielder Paul Pogba is “not working” as planned. Since joining AS Monaco on a two-year contract last summer, the 32-year-old has played only 30 minutes due to ongoing injury issues. Pogba, whose illustrious career has faced significant challenges, aimed to revive his form after a doping ban and a series of injuries.

Pogba has been sidelined for approximately a month due to a left calf injury sustained during training. This injury is the latest in a long line of physical setbacks that have plagued him since his high-profile transfer. Scuro expressed concern over Pogba’s struggles, emphasizing the player’s desire to contribute more on the pitch.

“The program and the plan for Paul is not working the way we expected in the beginning,” Scuro said. “He is very disturbed by the fact that he is struggling … [he wants] to be more available, to increase the minutes on the pitch.” Following his signing, Pogba was visibly emotional, reflecting the weight of expectations as he joined a Monaco team currently performing below par, sitting in ninth place, 17 points behind league leaders.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Scuro remains optimistic about Pogba’s potential return to form. He acknowledged that discussions regarding the player’s future may occur if the situation does not improve. “If it does not work, for sure the parties can sit down in the summer and try to have another discussion, where do we go?” Scuro noted. “It’s not the moment to have this discussion because we are engaged on trying to find the solution and bring him back.”

Pogba’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He became the most expensive player in history in 2016 when he transferred from Juventus to Manchester United for a fee of €105 million (approximately $116 million). A key player for France, he earned 91 caps and scored 11 goals, notably contributing to the national team’s victory in the 2018 World Cup, where he scored in the final match against Croatia.

However, Pogba’s career faced a significant setback in February 2024 when Italy’s anti-doping court initially imposed a four-year ban after he tested positive for testosterone. In October of the same year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his suspension to 18 months, allowing for a potential return to competition in the near future.

As he works to regain fitness and form, Pogba has expressed hopes of reintegrating into the French national team ahead of this year’s World Cup in North America. Yet, given the current circumstances, his path remains uncertain. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Pogba can overcome his challenges and make a significant impact for both Monaco and France.