Union Saint-Gilloise ends a historic title drought. After three unsuccessful attempts, the trust in a novice coach with Bundesliga experience pays off.
In the moment of triumph, Sébastien Pocognoli became a silent enjoyer.
As the final whistle in the landmark Stade Joseph Marien sealed Royale Union Saint-Gilloise’s first championship title after a 90-year drought, the coach of the traditional Belgian club closed his eyes – while jubilation erupted around him.
Founded in 1897, the club, based south of Brussels’ city center, celebrated a great redemption after a temporary fall into the fourth division.
“The questions annoyed me a lot”
Union Saint-Gilloise had sniffed at the twelfth championship title three times since returning to the top flight in 2021, in the promotion season with a then largely unknown Deniz Undav as top scorer.
According to Pocognoli, “several things” made the difference compared to the unsuccessful attempts. “The most important thing was to immediately stop comparing with previous years. The questions on this topic, which kept coming up, annoyed me a lot. I have to admit that,” he said to DAZN.
The former defender, who once played 30 Bundesliga games for Hannover 96 from the beginning of 2013 to the summer of 2014, led Union to its first championship title since 1935. It is the largest gap between two championships in the top 10 leagues in Europe.
Saint-Gilloise celebrates the “end of an eternity”
“The football fairy tale finally comes true, even if it comes a few years too late,” wrote Het Nieuwsblad. And the French magazine So Foot spoke of the “end of an eternity”.
“This trophy with such a historically significant club as Union is more than a title: it is a lesson for life,” said Pocognoli. This title was “not achieved by a coach or even a team, nor by a management that has always supported me, but by an entire club.”
In his last season as a professional, he was promoted to the Jupiler Pro League with Saint-Gilles in 2021. An experience that has now helped him in his first position as head coach. “I knew the way my bosses worked and the trust was directly mutual.”
Sébastien Pocognoli celebrated the championship title in his first season as head coach.
Last summer, the 37-year-old replaced Alexander Blessin, who led Saint-Gilles to victory in the cup and thus recommended himself for a move to FC St. Pauli.
From the bottom of the table to the title
However, the start for the novice coach was bumpy. After only two wins from the first eight games, Saint-Gilles was only one point ahead of the relegation zone. Despite initial criticism, Pocognoli continued to enjoy trust. That has now paid off.
With a 3-1 victory against KAA Gent, Les Unioniste made the title perfect on Sunday on the last matchday of the championship round.
With nine wins in ten games, Pocognoli and his team dominated the playoffs, in which the champion is determined after the regular season. Union only dropped points in the 0-0 draw against the dethroned titleholder Club Brugge.
“With a vision, a structure, knowledge and money, you can move more than just a stone in Belgium,” Het Laatste Nieuws praised the performance of those responsible.
Saint-Gilloise makes a name for itself thanks to a poker professional
Behind the project is British businessman and poker professional Tony Bloom, who has already led his beloved club Brighton & Hove Albion from the third English league to the upper middle class of the Premier League.
In 2018, Bloom took over the then second division team from Brussels and installed his buddy Alex Muzio as managing director. Since then, USG has also been a good address for exciting, developable players who fall through the cracks elsewhere.
In addition to Undav, the current Bayern flirt Kaoru Mitoma has also worn the blue and yellow jersey. And Victor Boniface made his breakthrough in Brussels.
What will become of successful coach Pocognoli?
Similar to Blessin, Saint-Gilles could also become a springboard for champion coach Pocognoli. In France, he is said to be a topic at RC Lens after the departure of Will Still.
As part of the championship celebrations, the coach left his future open.
“Now we’re going to have fun first,” said Pocognoli. “I am very proud, but also very tired. In two days we will talk about the plans for next season. But now I want to enjoy myself first.”