Who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at PSG? Conte, Löw, Motta...

PSG are already looking ahead to next season after wrapping up the Ligue 1 title amid uncertainty about the future of Mauricio Pochettino, who appears likely to part company with the Parisians this summer after a season and a half in charge at the Parc des Princes. Zinedine Zidane remains at the top of Qatar Sports Investment’s wish list but it is widely believed the former Real Madrid manager is biding his time to see if Didier Deschamps decides to call it a day at the helm of the France national team after the World Cup.

According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, PSG are considering three potential replacements should Pochettino decide it is time to move on. First on the list is Antonio Conte, who may decide his time at Spurs is done if he does not secure Champions League qualification this season. However, the Italian former Juve, Italy, Inter and Chelsea boss has moved to distance himself from rumours of his departure at the end of the 2021-22 campaign. On the other hand, he has not gone out of his way to commit himself to the Premier League side for another season either.

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PSG to go Löw or gamble on Motta?

The other two candidates PSG are looking at are at polar ends of the managerial scale. Firstly, World Cup-winning former Germany coach Joachim Löw, who certainly holds the prestige for such a position but has not managed at club level since the 2003-04 season, when he was in charge at Austria Wien. PSG though believe his man-management and overall experience make him an ideal possibility.

The third is perhaps a bit more of a gamble: Thiago Motta, a huge fan favourite at PSG after his successful spell there as a player and now manager of Serie A side Spezia, where his good work this season looks to have assured the modest outfit another campaign in the top flight while also picking up notable victories against AC Milan and Napoli. Motta was coach of PSG’s under-19s in 2018-19, where he raised eyebrows by proposing a 2-7-2 formation. His history at the club and so far eye-catching if brief managerial career have made PSG wonder if he could be the man to take over in June, even if it would be a departure from the club’s usual policy of installing a well-seasoned manager.