Mauricio Pochettino is widely believed to be into his final few months as Paris Saint-Germain manager.
French newspaper Le Parisien reported Pochettino is likely to leave at the end of the season. A subsequent exit from the Coupe de France has seen pressure increase, despite PSG sitting 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Links to Manchester United have been building, with The Telegraph reporting Pochettino is the players’ choice to take over as manager.
Pochettino’s former PSG manager Luis Fernandez has leapt to his defence. Quoted by RMC Sport, Fernandez says Pochettino is often misunderstood in France and deserves more patience than he gets.
Fernandez said: “I know the man and the character. He is criticized a lot, such as not speaking French. It’s his professional side. He wants to be understood in English or Spanish. I know the function as a coach at PSG , you are observed and watched, we like you or we don’t like you. The function is complicated. Under the Qatari era, there were a lot of coaches. You have to be calm.
“He qualifies against Real Madrid in the round of 16, if he takes PSG to the final, if he wins the Champions League, everyone will be silent. A coach is judged on his results. For PSG, it’s the Champions League.
“We always want more with PSG. Yes, Pochettino lost the Coupe de France. Thomas Tuchel too and that didn’t stop him to win the Champions League next with Chelsea. I can’t be disappointed. I know the role. I want Pochettino to succeed.”
Champions League is everything
Fernandez acknowledges the high-demands at PSG which sees league success viewed as not enough, even after missing out on the title last season.
PSG’s battle with Real in the Champions League is a fascinating tie, with Kylian Mbappe taking centre stage. If PSG lose, then Pochettino is as good as gone, to suffer a last 16 exit.
While this may please Manchester United’s hierarchy, its not great for fans, as Pochettino will have a stench of failure with him, fairly or not.
A win for PSG could however backfire on United, as it could intensify Real Madrid’s desire to poach him.
Le Parisien meanwhile report PSG’s most likely next move is for Zinedine Zidane, with the wheels already in motion.
If Manchester United choose Erik Ten Hag, then of course all of this becomes immaterial. But at present there seems a strong chance Pochettino will be United’s next manager.
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