Mauricio Pochettino was appointed Paris Saint-Germain manager last week, almost fourteen months after he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur.
Thomas Tuchel was let go by PSG after two and a half seasons at the French club. In similar fashion to Pochettino, Tuchel was let go less than six months after defeat in a Champions League final.
PSG have decided that Poch is their man, with the Argentinian signing a deal that lasts until June 30th 2022.
Here’s why this is an appointment that suits everyone involved.
Back At Former Employers
Firstly, Pochettino is back at a club he played at for three seasons.
When Spurs won their Champions League semi-final against Ajax, Pochettino’s reaction showed how much he cared for the club. Judging by his latest Instagram posts, Poch has a lot of admiration for PSG.
“I am so excited to be returning to Paris- a city and club that has always remained in my heart”.
What PSG Are Getting In Pochettino
PSG are getting a manager that was loved by the fans of his former team. Spurs fans hold him in the highest regard.
Pochettino guided Spurs to third place in 2015/16 and a second-place finish in 2016/17 in the Premier League. He also got them to the League Cup final in 2015 and the aforementioned Champions League final. The one thing he was missing was a trophy.
What Pochettino Is Getting in PSG
Pochettino will be getting top-class players at his disposal, as he looks to earn some silverware. Winning Ligue 1 has been routine for PSG and will be expected to stay the same under Poch.
This is not what he has been brought in to do. He had been appointed to win PSG the Champions League. One thing PSG have lacked in recent years is a good enough manager.
Thomas Tuchel is rumoured to be difficult to work with and had not done enough to warrant big jobs such as Borussia Dortmund and PSG.
Tuchel’s predecessor Unai Emery has failed at Arsenal since leaving PSG. He was also charged during the Parisians’ 6-1 loss to Barcelona.
PSG have now got a manager with huge amounts of admiration from both ex-players he has managed and by former fans, whether that be the Tottenham or Southampton fanbase.
This could get then over the line in the tournament they crave so much.
Both PSG and Pochettino will be keen to avenge their respective Champions League losses during the past two seasons.
The Players At Pochettino’s Disposal
Pochettino put a good team together at Spurs but will be inheriting some world-class players.
PSG have two world-class attackers in Kylian Mbappé and Neymar.
A Mauro Icardi back from injury and Ángel Di María are two further great attacking options that the French side have at their disposal.
They have also managed to unleash the potential of young striker Moise Kean, who is on loan from Everton after struggling on Merseyside. Kean has scored 11 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions since joining PSG on loan.
The midfield options of Marco Verratti, Idrissa Gueye, Leandro Paredes, Ander Herrera and Raphina offer a mostly compact unit for the Parisians but two former Pochettino players could be about to join the Argentinian in Paris.
English midfielder Dele Alli enjoyed the best football of his career under Poch. He has fallen out of favour under José Mourinho and questions over his attitude arose during Tottenham’s Amazon Prime documentary ‘All or Nothing’.
A loan spell could be on the cards but PSG may also be interested in paying a fee. If there is one person to revive Alli’s career, then it is more than likely going to be the man who brought him to Spurs and made him a household name.
Danish international Christian Eriksen left Spurs under José Mourinho but has struggled since he departed for Inter Milan.
He has linked with moves away from Inter, despite being at the club just under one year.
In similar fashion to Alli, Eriksen’s career can be potentially rejuvenated through being reunited with his former manager.
Signing players such as Alli and Eriksen will only help PSG and give them a great strength in depth. Pochettino is PSG’s safest pair of hands since Carlo Ancelotti left the club in 2013. These will also be some of the best players Poch has managed during his career. It is reasons such as these why the appointment suits everyone involved.
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