Things have fallen apart at the Parc des Princes, and the centre is struggling to hold. It was the year that Paris Saint-Germain was to dominate and rule Europe. The top hierarchy at the club had every right to dream. Many years of money spent culminated in the mother of all investments. The oil-rich club were tired of dominating France, but the assignment for the season was to regain the league title they lost to Lille last season. They were also to win for the first time the UEFA Champions League.
The assignment didn’t look like too much to ask, as the club had acquired arguably the best player on the planet - Lionel Messi, with a supporting cast of Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum and the best goalkeeper at the Euros - Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bookmakers had them as favourites to go all the way in the Champions League, but a different script played out entirely.
PSG regained the league title but lost the cup and were embarrassed in the Champions League by the competition’s most successful team - Real Madrid. The league triumph left little to cheer as the fans let the club know with their protests after another limp draw with Lens. Someone is poised to pay the price for the lacklustre performance this season. PSG are prepared to sack manager Mauricio Pochettino for an underwhelming season.
PSG to sack Pochettino
Despite winning the Ligue 1 title on Saturday, PSG are ready to sack Mauricio Pochettino. Reports in France suggest the former Spurs manager faces the chop in the French capital.
Les Parisiens secured another Ligue 1 title following a 1-1 draw with Lens. The new champions did not put up a display worthy of their status. It wasn’t the performance on the day that has put Pochettino’s job on the line, but a culmination of many sins.
PSG have always wanted to rub shoulders with Europe’s elite. Despite assembling one of the most expensive squads, PSG crashed out of the Champions League. The loss hurt, but the humiliating way Real Madrid beat the French giants irked the club.
The rumours surrounding his position all season also contributed to his current status. Pochettino had continuously winked at Manchester United in the hope of replacing Ralf Rangnick in the summer, but the Red Devils have settled for Erik Ten Hag.
A new manager and a payoff
There are not many top managers out there that PSG could get in the summer. One available manager that fits the bill for the Qatar-backed club is Zinedine Zidane, but the Frenchman is known to have rejected a chance to coach the club.
Le Parisien reports that the relationship between PSG and Pochettino has deteriorated so much that both parties are unwilling to continue together. With Ten Hag already announced as the new manager at Old Trafford, Pochettino is unsure of his future. The report suggests PSG is negotiating terms of departure with the Argentine.
According to Le Parisien, Pochettino is no longer interested in continuing at PSG, and the club do not want him at the helm any longer. There are claims that PSG will have to pay a severance package of £12.6 million to sack Pochettino and his coaching staff. The Argentine has one year left on his contract.
Le Parisien reports that Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is keen on taking over from Pochettino in a two-year deal. If Conte moves to PSG, it could see Pochettino return to Tottenham in the summer.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
