Conte, Tuchel and the managers who could replace Pochettino at PSG
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 24 Apr 2022 20:53 BST
- 3 min read
Mauricio Pochettino’s time as Paris Saint-Germain head coach looks like it is up.
Less than 24 hours after PSG celebrated winning the Ligue 1 title following their 1-1 draw with Lens on Saturday, the French media reported that Pochettino is set to be relieved of his duties.
Le Parisien claims that Pochettino will leave PSG imminently by mutual decision.
Pochettino has spent the season walking a tightrope, having been unable to get the best out of a front three combining Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Often, PSG’s performances have been disjointed, yet this would have been overlooked if they had made a strong run in Europe. Instead, they were eliminated in a humiliating manner once again by Real Madrid in the last-16, melting down when it seemed progress was theirs to be had.
With Pochettino now surely leaving, who will take over?
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Zinedine Zidane
The former Real Madrid boss is considered trhe favourite.
He has the gravitas, respect and experience that PSG require. Although not regarded as the sharpest tactician, Zidane has shown in the past that he can man-manage even the toughest dressing room at the Bernabeu, where he won the Champions League on three successive occasions.
Kylian Mbappe can be counted as a fan of his, so if there is any chance of keeping the World Cup winner, it may lie in appointing Zidane.
His affection with Marseille, however, counts against him. Also, he may desire to take the France national team job when Didier Deschamps leaves after the World Cup.
Antonio Conte
Clearly concerned by his situation at Tottenham and the lack of support he has been given by the board, Antonio Conte would be a strong choice to spend a couple of years at the helm of PSG.
Indeed, Le Parisien claims that Conte has even offered his services to PSG.
His track record with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter is strong, although he lacks the European pedigree that PSG would certainly ask for.
Thomas Tuchel
With Chelsea’s situation suddenly unclear, could PSG welcome back Tuchel to the club, having dumped him little over a year ago to get Pochettino in? Certainly, it would require changes at boardroom level, but sporting director Leonardo could be another high-profile casualty of the Real Madrid loss and that could open the door for it to happen.
Arsene Wenger
Every time the PSG job becomes available, Arsenal legend Wenger is inevitably involved in the conversation.
There is a chance he goes to Parc des Princes, but it will likely be on the ticket as a sporting director or some other such upstairs role.
He has admitted he misses management, but accepts it is probably no longer for him.
Mikel Arteta
A former Paris Saint-Germain player, Arteta has been slowly constructing an Arsenal squad that can be regarded as one of their best in years. Indeed, he is on course to guarantee Champions League football.
He has shown an ableness to make strong decisions by sending Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona and by freezing out Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi, and such mental fortitude would be required in France.
