Tougher challenges lie ahead after Poch lands his first trophy
IT HAS taken Mauricio Pochettino less than a fortnight in Paris to achieve what he failed to do in five-and-a-half years as Tottenham manager.
On Wednesday night the ex-Spurs boss collected the first trophy of his coaching career. Paris Saint-Germain defeated Marseille 2-1 at the neutral venue of Lens in the rearranged Champions Trophy, the French equivalent of the Community Shield.
As a former player and captain, Pochettino was a popular choice for the job when PSG appointed him at the start of the month, and the early silverware has only enhanced his standing among the fans.
‘It’s an incredibly emotional moment and difficult to put into words. This club made me become a better person and a better player,’ Pochettino said after the game.
‘We deserved the victory, we gave a good performance. I hope to win other trophies but the first will always remain special.’
That last line is particularly telling, as Pochettino was not recruited to win the Champions Trophy.
This was the eighth year in succession PSG have won it, suggesting they could put the kit man in charge and come away smiling. The only two prizes that matter are Ligue 1 and the Champions League. On both fronts, Pochettino faces considerable challenges in the weeks ahead.
He has walked straight into what appears to be France’s first genuine title race in several seasons.
Top three Lyon, PSG and Lille are separated by just one point. Lyon – with no European football to distract them – look increasingly capable of going the distance.
In the Champions League next month PSG face Barcelona, a club Pochettino knows well from his spell managing city rivals Espanyol.
PSG are favourites but their performance standard will need to improve for them to feel confident heading into that tie.
For all the goodwill surrounding the
‘Pochettino is fully aware that his PSG in-tray is packed’
new boss and the boost Wednesday night’s win has given him, the team has played no better under him than under predecessor Thomas Tuchel.
Pochettino’s first tactical switch – asking midfielder Marco Verratti to play higher up the pitch – has yet to bear fruit. Kylian Mbappe’s output
remains fitful. The France star is running and dribbling less effectively than he can, debilitating the side in the final third. And Neymar is Neymar: frequently brilliant when he is available, but all too often injured.
While Pochettino enjoyed the celebrations this week, he is fully aware his in-tray is packed.
The coming weeks will paint a truer picture of whether his second marriage with Paris is likely to be a happy one.