Pochettino named PSG new coach
MAURICIO Pochettino was officially named the new coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Januar y 2 after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.
PSG announced on its website that former Tottenham manager Pochettino had signed a contract until June 30, 2022 with an option for an additional year.
“PSG are one of the biggest clubs i n the world,” the 48-year-old told the club’s TV channel. So it’s not ot only important to win but to win with style.”
However, he added: dded: “Discipline is important, ortant, r e s p e c t , f r i e n d s h i p between the players but also all the staff.”
The Argentine was the only name i n t he frame to take over at the club after PSG abruptly endedTuchel’s involvement on December er 24, reportedly for or comments viewed as critical of the Qatari tari owners. Pochettino played for the club from 2001 to 2003.
His priority will be to sate the Qatari-backed club’s hunger for Champions League glory.
Tuchel, who oversaw the club’s first ever Champions League final appearance last season, guided Neymar and company into the knock-out stages this season before being axed.
Pochettino’s first major test will be the Champions League last-16 away leg at Barcelona next month.
He w i l l t a k e charge of his first match on January 9 at Saint-Etienne as Ligue 1 resumes after the winter break with PSG one point off the leaders in third.
Earned plaudits
Then, on February 16, he will be plotting the downfall of his compatriot Lionel Messi’s Barcelona at the Camp Nou, with the return leg on March 6.
Like Tuchel, Pochettino was sacked after leading Spurs to their first ever appearance in a Champions League final, against Liverpool in 2019. Although he has yet to win any silverware, the former PSG defender’s managerial stock is high.
Pochettino made Tottenham a c o ns i s t e nt Champions League qualifier in four years at the Premier League club before his departure in 2019.
His first coaching position was at struggling Espanyol, where in 2009 his first match in charge was against Barcelona.
He earned plaudits for saving the Spanish outfit, where he played under fellow Argentine Marcelo Bielsa in 1998, from relegation.