Six months on, Monaco United Women’s FC are already operating like a professional club | OneFootball

Six months after launch, Monaco United Women’s FC, founded, presided over and coached by Marco Simone, are behaving like a professional outfit and tearing through France’s fifth tier. They face co-leaders Carros after the festive break.

According to Nice-Matin, the squad reconvened at La Colle-sur-Loup for weigh-ins and VMA tests after the New Year break. Simone was backed by an assistant, fitness coach Alexandre Gallet, a goalkeeping coach, a physio and a communications lead.

Standards mirror the elite, with four weekly sessions, salaried players and staff, and specialist goalkeeper training. New equipment, including Serie A-branded balls, reflects the club’s Italian flavour.

On the pitch, United have won seven from seven, most recently 8-0 against Fontonne Antibes. They average 11 goals a game, 78 in total, including a 25-1 win over AS des Moulins. Earlier in the season they lost 2-1 to Carros in the Coupe de France.

Simone says the structure is a collective effort. His game ideas, such as two-touch play and direct tempo, are being absorbed by a disciplined group, captain Houleye Deme notes.

Recruitment was accelerated via Deme’s network and extensive video scouting, which helped lure professionals and semi-professionals. Midfielder Rachel Robert dropped three levels from OGC Nice in D2, citing Simone and the project.

Assistant Marine Benmahrez, the staff’s only woman, acts as a trusted contact on sensitive issues. Next up is Carros at the Stade Didier-Deschamps in Cap-d’Ail on Sunday at 17:30, with a long-term aim of reaching the top flight within four years.

Source: Nice-Matin