Only having just arrived at the Club, he packed his bags and headed to England with the team. On his first night at St. George’s Park, he underwent the traditional "hazing" by singing a song in front of his teammates and the coaching staff. He's now well-integrated into theRouge et Blancand was decisive Wednesday against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup, but before that Philipp Köhn took the time to speak with us before playing Leeds.Interview.🎙
Hello Philipp. To begin, what are your impressions since your arrival in Monaco?
I feel very good, I was well received by everyone. I even had to sing last night (on the first day of the team's training camp in Birmingham), it was quite unexpected. I chose "Sweet Caroline", but the beginning was a bit long, and when I started the chorus, everyone started clapping, so I couldn't finish. I missed the best part (smiles)! On a more serious note, I feel good in the team, and I must say that starting with a training camp makes it easier to integrate, to learn more about your teammates and the staff.
Hello Philipp. To begin, what are your impressions since your arrival in Monaco?
I feel very good, I was well received by everyone. I even had to sing last night (on the first day of the team's training camp in Birmingham), it was quite unexpected. I chose "Sweet Caroline", but the beginning was a bit long, and when I started the chorus, everyone started clapping, so I couldn't finish. I missed the best part (smiles)! On a more serious note, I feel good in the team, and I must say that starting with a training camp makes it easier to integrate, to learn more about your teammates and the staff.
When I arrived in Leipzig at the start of my career, the club was playing its first Champions League campaign. In the group there were Monaco, Besiktas and Porto. I had met Diego Benaglio, with whom I stayed in contact and who told me a lot of good things about the Club.
Philipp Köhn
In hindsight, how did the training camp facilitate the process of your integration into the squad?
It was much simpler I think, because we are together 24 hours a day, so it helps to get to know each other better as people. We also hadteam building activities to bring people together. It obviously speeds things up, although I also enjoyed my first days in Monaco at the Performance Centre. I also had the opportunity to tour the city a bit with my partner, it was really cool and I can't wait to get back to discover more about the Principality.
It was much simpler I think, because we are together 24 hours a day, so it helps to get to know each other better as people. We also hadteam building activities to bring people together. It obviously speeds things up, although I also enjoyed my first days in Monaco at the Performance Centre. I also had the opportunity to tour the city a bit with my partner, it was really cool and I can't wait to get back to discover more about the Principality.
What did you know about Monaco before signing for the club?
Obviously I'm a huge Formula 1 fan, so I immediately think of the Grand Prix. Regarding the Club, every time I watched European matches, I seemed to often hear about AS Monaco. When I arrived in Leipzig at the start of my career, the club was playing its first Champions League campaign. In the group there were Monaco, Besiktas and Porto. I had met Diego Benaglio, with whom I stayed in contact and who told me a lot of good things about the Club. And he told me not to hesitate to ask him. It's always good to have good feedback from outside, it's reassuring.
As you've said, you knew Mohamed and Takumi as well as Breel from international duty. Did that make your arrival into the group even easier?
I think it's actually more comfortable with the coach as well,whom I have already had the opportunity to meet in Salzburg. We were able to talk over the phone and it's obviously easier for me, since he speaks my native language. It's always difficult to come to a new country, with a new language, even if I already know a few words in French to communicate on the pitch.
Obviously I'm a huge Formula 1 fan, so I immediately think of the Grand Prix. Regarding the Club, every time I watched European matches, I seemed to often hear about AS Monaco. When I arrived in Leipzig at the start of my career, the club was playing its first Champions League campaign. In the group there were Monaco, Besiktas and Porto. I had met Diego Benaglio, with whom I stayed in contact and who told me a lot of good things about the Club. And he told me not to hesitate to ask him. It's always good to have good feedback from outside, it's reassuring.
As you've said, you knew Mohamed and Takumi as well as Breel from international duty. Did that make your arrival into the group even easier?
I think it's actually more comfortable with the coach as well,whom I have already had the opportunity to meet in Salzburg. We were able to talk over the phone and it's obviously easier for me, since he speaks my native language. It's always difficult to come to a new country, with a new language, even if I already know a few words in French to communicate on the pitch.
A great sense of pride! It was completely crazy because I was not expecting it, but we had a very good Champions League campaign with Salzburg, with whom the start of the season was very good. Unfortunately we were eliminated by Portugal in the round of 16. But looking back, it was a great experience.
Philipp Köhn
I'm trying to learn, even if the staff also communicate a lot in English. In any case, it's cool to already know some players who come from different backgrounds. There's Kevin as well, who is a very good guy, and with whom I share a passion for golf. It's funny because I started two months ago when I took my holidays.
You know Breel from international duty. How did you feel when representing Switzerland at the World Cup?
A great sense of pride! It was completely crazy because I was not expecting it, but we had a very good Champions League campaign with Salzburg, with whom the start of the season was very good. Luckily for me, and bad luck for them, I took advantage of the injuries of several goalkeepers, like Yann Sommer or Yann Mvogo, who plays in Ligue 1 (at Lorient -- ed), to get my place in the squad. Unfortunately we were eliminated by Portugal in the round of 16. But looking back, it was a great experience.
A great sense of pride! It was completely crazy because I was not expecting it, but we had a very good Champions League campaign with Salzburg, with whom the start of the season was very good. Luckily for me, and bad luck for them, I took advantage of the injuries of several goalkeepers, like Yann Sommer or Yann Mvogo, who plays in Ligue 1 (at Lorient -- ed), to get my place in the squad. Unfortunately we were eliminated by Portugal in the round of 16. But looking back, it was a great experience.
We imagine that you were very proud to defend these colors!
Yes, because Switzerland is my mother's country of birth. And even though I was born in Germany and played as a youngster there, I decided to play for theNatijersey from U-19. It's a great joy for me, and I like to be around players as nice as Breel. In any case, I hope that I will have the opportunity to return there regularly in the months to come. It makes sense for me to defend the colors of this country where I lived -- and I would like to play another World Cup with them.
Yes, because Switzerland is my mother's country of birth. And even though I was born in Germany and played as a youngster there, I decided to play for theNatijersey from U-19. It's a great joy for me, and I like to be around players as nice as Breel. In any case, I hope that I will have the opportunity to return there regularly in the months to come. It makes sense for me to defend the colors of this country where I lived -- and I would like to play another World Cup with them.
I didn't win matches on my own, but I added my part throughout the season. So in the end being voted best goalkeeper in the league was a great reward, even if defending remains a team effort. I think I have really improved, especially with playing European matches.
Philipp Köhn
You were voted best goalkeeper in the Austrian league last year. What does this mean to you?
My first year in Salzburg was not easy, because I was coming back from loan and I was not expected to be number one. So I started as a substitute, and then things changed quickly. I then had my first spell in the Champions League, which was good, but I still wanted to progress. The start of last season was not easy either, since I was injured and I was not in top physical form.
But I worked a lot to come back match after match without skipping steps. Obviously I didn't win matches on my own, but I added my part throughout the season. So in the end being voted best goalkeeper in the league was a great reward, even if defending remains a team effort. I think I have really improved, especially with playing European matches.
My first year in Salzburg was not easy, because I was coming back from loan and I was not expected to be number one. So I started as a substitute, and then things changed quickly. I then had my first spell in the Champions League, which was good, but I still wanted to progress. The start of last season was not easy either, since I was injured and I was not in top physical form.
But I worked a lot to come back match after match without skipping steps. Obviously I didn't win matches on my own, but I added my part throughout the season. So in the end being voted best goalkeeper in the league was a great reward, even if defending remains a team effort. I think I have really improved, especially with playing European matches.
You have already played about twenty European matches. Is it important for you to share this experience with the younger players in the squad?
I know how hard it is because in Salzburg too the team was very young but is progressing quickly by playing this kind of match in the Champions League in particular. Sometimes it was easy for me, and sometimes I thought that the level was incredible in this competition. We felt a certain difference compared to league play. My first matches were good, but it was difficult to reach a high level of confidence.
I know how hard it is because in Salzburg too the team was very young but is progressing quickly by playing this kind of match in the Champions League in particular. Sometimes it was easy for me, and sometimes I thought that the level was incredible in this competition. We felt a certain difference compared to league play. My first matches were good, but it was difficult to reach a high level of confidence.
I really have a good feeling working with Frédéric De Boever, the goalkeeping coach, and all the staff. He said to me: "I'm not going to teach you how to catch a ball, you already know how to do it. On the other hand, I'm going to help you work on your cardio, your concentration...".
Philipp Köhn
In any case, I love playing these matches where the pressure is important! I like to play under pressure, and I hope that with this good squad that we have, we can quickly get back into Europe next season. That's our main goal, as the coach said. But we have good guys, and we're all focused in the preseason, so I'm not worried.
Getting back into Europe, is that one of the goals of Monaco ?
Obviously! But it starts with the league, and Ligue 1 will allow me to take a step forward in my career. That's what I'm here for! In addition, I really have a good feeling working with Frédéric De Boever, the goalkeeping coach, and all the staff. He said to me: "I'm not going to teach you how to catch a ball, you already know how to do it. On the other hand, I'm going to help you work on your cardio, your concentration...".
These are things that are important in difficult match, and can make the difference in the 80th minute when there are chances for goals everywhere and you have to show that you are able to answe the call. I have to be able to allow the team to win games, that's the way I see my role. And once again, our goal at the end is to get back to experiencing the energy of European evenings.
What did you know about Ligue 1 before coming to AS Monaco?
I already knew Yann Mvogo, of course, who plays for Lorient, et Jonas Omlin who played at Montpellier récemment. Et puis à Salzbourg j’ai connu des joueurs qui venaient de la Ligue 1, comme Lucas Gourna-Douath de Saint-Etienne et Oumar Soulet de Lyon. Aujourd'hui c’est moi qui fait le chemin inverse et je suis vraiment excité d’être ici et de franchir ce cap en rejoignant ce championnat. J’ai hâte de commencer cette aventure.
Obviously! But it starts with the league, and Ligue 1 will allow me to take a step forward in my career. That's what I'm here for! In addition, I really have a good feeling working with Frédéric De Boever, the goalkeeping coach, and all the staff. He said to me: "I'm not going to teach you how to catch a ball, you already know how to do it. On the other hand, I'm going to help you work on your cardio, your concentration...".
These are things that are important in difficult match, and can make the difference in the 80th minute when there are chances for goals everywhere and you have to show that you are able to answe the call. I have to be able to allow the team to win games, that's the way I see my role. And once again, our goal at the end is to get back to experiencing the energy of European evenings.
What did you know about Ligue 1 before coming to AS Monaco?
I already knew Yann Mvogo, of course, who plays for Lorient, et Jonas Omlin who played at Montpellier récemment. Et puis à Salzbourg j’ai connu des joueurs qui venaient de la Ligue 1, comme Lucas Gourna-Douath de Saint-Etienne et Oumar Soulet de Lyon. Aujourd'hui c’est moi qui fait le chemin inverse et je suis vraiment excité d’être ici et de franchir ce cap en rejoignant ce championnat. J’ai hâte de commencer cette aventure.
Je dirais qu’aujourd’hui tu ne dois pas être qu’un simple gardien dans le football. Tu dois aussi savoir jouer avec les deux pieds, lire le jeu et bien évidemment arrêter des tirs, le plus important ! Je pense être assez complet dans tous ces compartiments du jeu, même j’ai encore des choses à apprendre.
Philipp Köhn
Pour revenir à l’Europe, tu as fait un grand match contre Chelsea la saison dernière, avec pas moins de neuf arrêts. Parle-nous de ta performance…
C’était incroyable, même si à la fin nous avons perdu le match (2-1), donc le sentiment était très mitigé. En tout cas j’adore jouer ces matchs à enjeu, sous pression, avec encore une fois des stades pleins et des adversaires de très haut niveau. J’ai eu d’autres bons matchs, comme celui contre l’AS Roma à domicile, où on gagne 1-0 grâce à un but marqué à la 88e minute et où je réalise deux arrêts importants. Donc à la fin c’est un meilleur souvenir, car je n’ai pas concédé de but et nous avons gagné. Même si Chelsea reste un très bon match, surtout au niveau statistique (sourire).
Mohamed que tu connais bien, avait également fait un très gros match contre le Bayern Munich en Ligue des Champions. T’en rappelles-tu ?
Mo’ est vraiment un garçon très sympa. Je me souviens effectivement qu’ il avait été élu meilleur joueur du match ce jour-là. Il avait réalisé une très grosse performance en donnant de très bonnes passes, qui auraient même pu se transformer en assists. C’est quelqu’un qui est devenu un leader naturel. Pourtant j’avais déjà joué avec lui en équipe réserve à Salzbourg et au début c’était difficile pour lui, comme pour Sekou Koïta, également originaire du Mali.
Mo’ est vraiment un garçon très sympa. Je me souviens effectivement qu’ il avait été élu meilleur joueur du match ce jour-là. Il avait réalisé une très grosse performance en donnant de très bonnes passes, qui auraient même pu se transformer en assists. C’est quelqu’un qui est devenu un leader naturel. Pourtant j’avais déjà joué avec lui en équipe réserve à Salzbourg et au début c’était difficile pour lui, comme pour Sekou Koïta, également originaire du Mali.
En tout cas, j'avais vu son premier match avec l’AS Monaco contre le Paris Saint-Germain, et il avait été top. Je le répète, c’est un leader et je pense qu’il sait trouver l’équilibre entre les moments où il faut être focus et ceux où on peut rigoler. On peut vraiment lui faire confiance lorsqu’il a le ballon. Il trouve toujours une solution.
Pour revenir un peu à toi, comment définirais-tu ton style ?
Je dirais qu’aujourd’hui tu ne dois pas être qu’un simple gardien dans le football. Tu dois aussi savoir jouer avec les deux pieds, lire le jeu et bien évidemment arrêter des tirs, le plus important ! Je pense être assez complet dans tous ces compartiments du jeu, même j’ai encore des choses à apprendre. Mais je suis à un bon niveau et j’espère que je pourrai encore progresser cette saison, comme je l’ai prouvé l’an dernier.
Pour revenir un peu à toi, comment définirais-tu ton style ?
Je dirais qu’aujourd’hui tu ne dois pas être qu’un simple gardien dans le football. Tu dois aussi savoir jouer avec les deux pieds, lire le jeu et bien évidemment arrêter des tirs, le plus important ! Je pense être assez complet dans tous ces compartiments du jeu, même j’ai encore des choses à apprendre. Mais je suis à un bon niveau et j’espère que je pourrai encore progresser cette saison, comme je l’ai prouvé l’an dernier.
J’ai toujours voulu être footballeur. Mais quand j’ai commencé à jouer, je n’étais pas dans les buts, je jouais au milieu de terrain. Et au bout de six mois, il manquait un gardien donc je me suis proposé. Je devais avoir cinq ou six ans et c’était plutôt fun, même si j’ai dû arrêter quelques ballons avec la tête (sourire). Depuis je n’ai pas quitté le poste.
Philipp Köhn
Il est certain que je me rapproche du style allemand, dans la manière de jouer les face-à-face. J’ai pu le constater à l’entraînement en voyant les différences entre nous dans la façon de gérer cette situation. Personnellement j’essaye de rester le plus longtemps possible sur mes appuis. Mais à la fin, le plus important n’est pas la technique employée, mais bien d’arrêter le ballon !
Quelles sont tes sources d’inspiration à ton poste ?
Il n’y a pas un gardien en particulier qui m’inspire plus que d’autres, j’ai vraiment plusieurs exemples en tête. J’aime prendre de chacun, même si le style de Manuel Neuer me parle, sa manière de lire le jeu. Il est vraiment très bon, mais j’apprécie aussi beaucoup Hugo Lloris dans l’utilisation de son corps, car il me ressemble un peu au niveau de la morphologie. Il est très rapide et a de supers réflexes. Mais encore une fois je m’inspire de tous et essaye d’avoir mon propre style à moi.
Rêvais-tu déjà de devenir pro’ un jour quand tu étais enfant ?
J’ai toujours voulu être footballeur. Mais quand j’ai commencé à jouer, je n’étais pas dans les buts, je jouais au milieu de terrain. Et au bout de six mois, il manquait un gardien donc je me suis proposé. Je devais avoir cinq ou six ans et c’était plutôt fun, même si j’ai dû arrêter quelques ballons avec la tête (sourire). Depuis je n’ai pas quitté le poste. Mais j’aime jouer au foot, même dans le champ.
Un dernier mot pour les fans de l’AS Monaco ?
Je suis vraiment très content d’être ici et très excité de découvrir davantage la ville et d’aller à la rencontre des supporters. J’espère les voir très rapidement au Stade Louis-II. Et comme je l’ai appris très vite, car c’est très important :DAGHE MUNEGU !!🇲🇨
Il n’y a pas un gardien en particulier qui m’inspire plus que d’autres, j’ai vraiment plusieurs exemples en tête. J’aime prendre de chacun, même si le style de Manuel Neuer me parle, sa manière de lire le jeu. Il est vraiment très bon, mais j’apprécie aussi beaucoup Hugo Lloris dans l’utilisation de son corps, car il me ressemble un peu au niveau de la morphologie. Il est très rapide et a de supers réflexes. Mais encore une fois je m’inspire de tous et essaye d’avoir mon propre style à moi.
Rêvais-tu déjà de devenir pro’ un jour quand tu étais enfant ?
J’ai toujours voulu être footballeur. Mais quand j’ai commencé à jouer, je n’étais pas dans les buts, je jouais au milieu de terrain. Et au bout de six mois, il manquait un gardien donc je me suis proposé. Je devais avoir cinq ou six ans et c’était plutôt fun, même si j’ai dû arrêter quelques ballons avec la tête (sourire). Depuis je n’ai pas quitté le poste. Mais j’aime jouer au foot, même dans le champ.
Un dernier mot pour les fans de l’AS Monaco ?
Je suis vraiment très content d’être ici et très excité de découvrir davantage la ville et d’aller à la rencontre des supporters. J’espère les voir très rapidement au Stade Louis-II. Et comme je l’ai appris très vite, car c’est très important :DAGHE MUNEGU !!🇲🇨
