Mauricio Pochettino is the new PSG boss after replacing Thomas Tuchel

Mauricio Pochettino is the new PSG boss after replacing Thomas Tuchel

 

Former Spurs and Southampton manager, Mauricio Pochettino takes over at PSG after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Ex Tottenham and Southampton boss, Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new PSG manager after the Parisien club axed Thomas Tuchel before Christmas.

 

Tuchel has paid the price for a slow start in Ligue 1, where PSG have four defeats in their first 17 games and are a point behind Lyon and Lille. He departs after a 4-0 home win over Strasbourg on Wednesday, with PSG’s sporting director, Leonardo, first sounding out Pochettino as his replacement.

 

In his post-match press conference on Wednesday, Tuchel addressed comments made in an interview with German TV channel Sport1. Tuchel was quoted as saying he felt more like “a sports politician than a coach” in his first year at PSG, but insisted that the quote was an inaccurate translation of a light-hearted comment.

The former Dortmund manager was appointed head coach in June 2018, replacing Unai Emery. Tuchel, 47, won two Ligue 1 titles, completing a domestic treble last season, and in August this year led PSG to their first ever Champions League final, which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.

Kylian Mbappé paid tribute to Tuchel, writing on Instagram: “Unfortunately it’s the law of football but no one will forget your time here. Thank you, coach.”

Ex PSG player, Didier Doni has praised the appointment of Pochetino and maintained that he’s the right man for the PSG job after playing alongside the Argentine in Paris at some points

"He ticks all the boxes and has everything to succeed: a good relationship with the players and a good organization with his staff. He knows how to manage the pressure and his football ideas stick with Paris. He has all the cards in hand."

On Pochettino’s appointment by PSG, his first game in charge will likely come when the French champions take on Saint Etienne at Geoffroy Stadium on January 6.

PSG will also be playing for the Champions League again in 2021, having reached the final of the competition for the first time last season, with a huge last 16 showdown against Barcelona scheduled for February.