PSG sack Tuchel and eye Pochettino as replacement
According to Sports Bild and L'Equipe, PSG sporting director Leonardo informed Thomas Tuchel on Wednesday that the club was parting ways with the coach.
Paris Saint-Germain have sacked Thomas Tuchel with immediate effect, according to reports in German daily Sports Bild and L’Équipe. Parc des Princes sporting director Leonardo apparently informed the coach of the club’s decision on Wednesday after his side’s 4-0 victory over Strasbourg.
Tuchel has been at loggerheads with the PSG hierarchy for some time and has enjoyed a fractious relationship at best with Leonardo but the timing of the decision has come a surprise. Recent results have not been standard procedure at the perennial Ligue 1 champions, a defeat against Lyon on 13 December and a draw with Lille seeing the side lose their place at the top of the table. However, PSG remain one point behind those sides and qualified for the Champions League last 16 as group winners.
PSG eye Pochettino to replace Tuchel
The coach’s relationship with Leonardo and the board’s dissatisfaction with the team’s style of play eventually led to the plug being pulled despite Tuchel guiding PSG to the Champions League final for the first time in the club’s history last season. It has been speculated that doing so merely postponed the inevitable with Tuchel constantly fielding questions about his future this campaign.
PSG have reportedly been tentatively sounding out replacements and approached former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri recently, according to reports. Other names in the mix are former PSG player and under-19 coach Thiago Motta and Mauricio Pochettino, who is reportedly top of the club’s wish list according to RMC Radio.