AS Monaco were on a run of four games without a win when they shocked Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday to return to winning ways (1-0). 

However, the club did not get caught up in the euphoria of the result. The win only lifts them up to seventh in Ligue 1. Post-match, Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro came into the mixed zone to evaluate the club’s start to the season.

“It has been a hard season for us to manage, very unstable. To be honest, we are not happy with our level since the beginning of the season; this is our reality,” began Scuro in an interview attended by Get French Football News. “But to solve the problems, we need to be calm, we need to be smart. There is no magical solution, but there is a lot of hard work.”

The Brazilian hasn’t been spared from criticism, either, with his handling of the transfer window a topic of discussion: “I never said that I was the best in the world because we had two very good seasons […] I am not in this job or this industry to be liked. When someone criticises me, it is energy to work more, to do more. People can see our summer [window] in different ways. I respect all the critics […] I will keep making decisions in the way that I believe.”

Scuro responds to criticism and stands by Pocognoli appointment

Scuro has said that, despite the run of three consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, he never “doubted” his choice to appoint Sébastien Pocognoli back in October.

“It is not fair to put all of the responsibility on the manager, as the football industry used to do. Our stability comes from different reasons, from the summer, from the managerial change in the season… He arrived having to play two games a week. He is working, giving guidance, clarity, being transparent with the players,” said Scuro.

And Pocognoli, too, wasn’t getting carried away despite the win over PSG. “A foundational win? We will see next week. It was an accomplished performance in many aspects. It is satisfying to come away with a win, especially against one of the best teams in Europe, maybe the best. Today, we had a conquering mindset, aggression, sometimes on the limit, but I have no problem with that,” said the Monaco manager.