Speculations are going around regarding the hot-seat of the Paris-Saint Germain manager as PSG have sacked their manager Thomas Tuchel recently. News has been coming that his relationship with chairman Naseer Al Khelaifi had worsened, which is the main reason for getting sacked. Many names were coming, along with Argentine Mauricio Pochettino leading the race. Finally, it is official that PSG appoints Pochettino as the manager. The club has confirmed it on their official website as well as on social media.
PSG appoints Pochettino as the manager: Contract details
Mauricio Pochettino will be given a 5-year contract as per Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. He added that Thiago Motta was also in the race, but Pochettino’s approval of the proposal from Technical Director Leonardo as a first-choice candidate. PSG will have to pay around €6 million to Tuchel for terminating the contract.
What went wrong for Thomas Tuchel?
Thomas Tuchel was not a failure at the French Club. He has won several trophies along with an appearance in the Champions League final last season. He won 6 trophies with the club. Despite such a success rate, He was basically dumped due to his relationship with Naseer Al Khelaifi and the European Performance. PSG is keen to touch rivals Marseille by winning the Champions League for a long time. They have got huge domestic success in recent years but failed to lift the Champions League trophy. Although they reached the final last year, Tuchel failed to deliver the eluded title as they lost to Bayern Munich in the final.
The main reason behind the decision might be the relationship between Khelaifi and Tuchel as many reliable media outlets like RMC Sports had reported earlier that he was engaged in a brawl with Khelaifi and director Leonardo regarding the transfers. Tuchel told that the board shouldn’t expect the same result as last year if they couldn’t develop the squad after players like Thiago Silva and Cavani’s exit. Leonardo condemned these comments and criticized him for such a public remark.
“I did not appreciate Tuchel’s comments. I did not understand them and I did not like them. The club did not like them either. We will see internally. If someone is not happy, We talk, there is no problem. But if he decides to stay, He must decide to respect the choices of sports management. We’re not here to go to trial. We have to have the spirit of suffering for the club, the spirit of sacrifice. The important thing is the club. We didn’t like it [the way Tuchel spoke]. “
Leonardo, PSG Technical Director
Tuchel’s poor start to the season and his poor relation with the players fueled the decision as he was sacked after Paris’s 4-0 win at Strasbourg. This came to a position where PSG appoints Pochettino as the manager.
Mauricio Pochettino: Managerial Career
RCD Espanyol
Pochettino started his managerial career at Spain with Espanyol. He was appointed at the middle of 2008/09 season, where he did a good job. Under him, Espanyol got a victory against rivals Barcelona at Camp Nou after 27 years. He did well and also got praise from the fans and the commentators. Incidents changed over time and on the season of 2012/13, He was sacked after he blamed the board about too many financial restrictions.
Statistics for Espanyol
- Managed: 160
- Win: 53
- Draw: 38
- Lost: 69
- Points per match: 1.23
Southampton
Pochettino was later appointed by Southampton on the middle of 2012/13 season in place of Nigel Adkins. Pochettino became the second-ever Argentinian to manage in English Football. Pochettino made himself as a complete manager at St.Marry. He finished 8th, which was the highest league position for the Saints, since 2002/03. After this tenure, He attracted the attention of many big clubs.
Statistics for Southampton
- Managed: 60
- Win: 23
- Draw: 18
- Lost: 19
- Points per match: 1.45
Tottenham Hotspur
Later on, in season 2013-14, Pochettino joined Spurs to become the 10th manager of the club in last 12 years. He was given a 5-year contract. Pochettino made himself equal to Spurs. Many academy graduates were made stars under him as he gave opportunities to the young players. He established Spurs as a regular top-6 finisher in the Premier League. He led the team to their first-ever Champions League final but unfortunately lost the game to Liverpool. Last year, He has to leave Spurs due to a bad start to the reason. Despite this, He can never be forgotten by the Spurs fans.
Statistics for Spurs
- Managed: 293
- Win: 160
- Draw: 60
- Lost: 73
- Points per match: 1.84
Now, Pochettino is the new manager of PSG and going to start another chapter in his managerial career.
Mauricio Pochettino: playing career
Pochettino was also a good player. who started his career from Newell’s Old Boys which was the childhood club of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. He mainly played as a centre-back. He also played for RCD Espanyol, Bordeaux and Paris-Saint Germain where he is returning as a manager. He played a total of 509 senior matches and scored 26 goals. He played 20 national team matches. He won Argentinian League with Newell’s and Copa del Rey with Espanyol and a Coupe De France with PSG. He will surely be eager to win his first-ever managerial silverware as soon as possible.
Conclusion: What to expect from Pochettino’s appointment at PSG?
Thomas Tuchel has been successful in taking this club to a Champions League final. With the league mostly within PSG’s grasp every year, the management makes the Champions League a top priority every year. The relationship between Thomas Tuchel and his star players were not always at their best.
With contracts of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr running out, Leonardo’s appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the manager is a move to convince its star players to stay at Paris. Mauricio comes with a history of excellent man-management, and although this big job involves the greatest players in the world, He is expected to do a great job in pleasing them. The Argentine could also fuel a move for his fellow countryman Lionel Messi in the summer when his contract runs out in the summer.
Pochettino’s team have played great football, and having him at the realm really boosts the quality of football. Pochettino, who is a preacher of young players rising up the ranks would also promote youth into the squad. One of the best managers in the world, Pochettino will be sighted to end his long silverware drought. They face a tricky tie against Barcelona in the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Pochettino has all in his control to make the most and go all the way in PSG.
What do you think about the fact that PSG appoints Pochettino as the manager? Let us know in the comment section below.
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