Paris Saint-Germain and Mauricio Pochettino might end their relationship before the contract connecting them runs out. According to 90min.com, the PSG hierarchy and the Argentine coach are close to agreeing on separation at the end of the current season.
A former PSG captain in his playing days, Pochettino joined the Paris giants as their head coach in January 2021. He failed to win the league in his first season, with pressure on his shoulders mounting following PSG’s stellar transfer activity last summer. Their spree saw the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Gigio Donnarumma or Gini Wijnaldum land at Parc des Princes.
Despite the commanding position Paris now has in the league table (11 points clear at the top), the team’s playing performance has rarely been at the desired level. The inconsistent outings against mediocre opposition, Messi’s poor Ligue 1 form, then the recent Cup elimination against Nice on home soil did little to help Pochettino silence his critics.
With days left until PSG meets Real Madrid in the Champions League’s first knock-out round, there couldn’t be more questions unanswered around the club’s direction. PSG was the Champions League favorite before the group stage began, but has now slipped to fifth, behind Manchester City (+125), Bayern Munich (+160), Liverpool (+275) and Chelsea (+300). The French club is at +450 to lift the trophy in May.
Where is Pochettino going?
Pochettino flirted with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur recently, with rumors still placing him among the favorites to be appointed permanent manager at Old Trafford next season. PSG made it clear to the coach that the club was not looking to let him go during the current campaign, but talks for the summer were always left open.
“French sources have indicated their belief that a deal to bring Zidane to Paris is all but agreed, though Zidane’s preference to wait until the season ends is also clear,” 90min’s Graeme Bailey reports.
The journalist goes on saying “PSG and Pochettino are close to an agreement that will see him depart on terms they are both happy with”.
Pochettino is now under contract in Paris until 2023. Given the circumstances, it’s highly unlikely that he sees out his contract. At +250, Pochettino is the second-favorite to become Manchester United’s next manager. Only current Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is better placed at +150.
French journalist Daniel Riolo said in his ‘After Foot’ podcast that Zidane “will be the PSG coach by June at the latest”. Zizou turned down the chance to take charge at Manchester United following Solskjaer’s sacking at the end of last year. Rumors also had him ready to replace Didier Deschamps as the French national team head coach. Zidane is at +100 to be named PSG manager after Pochettino.
