Paris Saint-Germain’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was pleased to return to the French capital when he unveiled tuesday through french champions what he sees as “a dream come true. “
The Argentine played for PSG between 2001-03 with his time of season as captain and returned as a manager after five years at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur in late 2019.
In statements to the media for the first time since his appointment on the eve of his debut on the band line outside the gates of AS Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, Pochettino revealed his joy of moving and his thirst for cutlery.
“I’m pleased to be here,” said the 48-year-old. “The club has replaced a lot, but the hobby and love are the same. It’s like I’m betting here. I love and salute the tension to win” with Paris.
“Joining the PSG is a huge challenge, and everyone knows the future here. I sense what PSG is and that I will paint with world-class players, as I have done in the past. Paris has been one of my goals. It’s a “Come true” dream.
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Pochettino is very transparent that PSG hopes to remain a serious challenger by the name of the Champions League after last season’s race to the latter and that the South American will seek to repeat his 2018-19 feat of taking the Spurs to the flagship event.
The former coach of Espanyol will return quickly to Catalonia by the European draw of the Parisians who paired them with Barcelona in the circular of 16 with the first leg next month.
“The Champions League is vital for PSG, as are other competitions,” he said. “We face Barcelona in a month, we have to meet others and build something. When everyone’s fit, we’ll have premium equipment. “. “
The PSG is one of the names related to a loose play by Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, as well as Spurs legend Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli, two players Pochettino knows well.
“This is the time to communicate the rumors,” said the new boss of the championship giants. “We are in constant contact with (the sporting director) Leonardo. In a global sense, the truth is very confusing (for transfers) right now. .
“Santa has already done a smart job of bringing me here, to one of the biggest clubs in the world. I thank (the President and CEO) Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo for this opportunity. Big clubs like PSG attract rumors, but we will”leave them aside. “
Superstar Neymar has expressed a preference for locating Messi before Christmas and Pochettino reported that this had still been discussed at the Parc des Princes, where she has a contract until the summer of 2022 with an option for another year in case of qualifying for the UCL.
“I’m still adjusting after 3 days of work,” he said. “There will be time to think about it later. When Neymar returns, we’ll have to locate the position for him. In his leadership, I think there are many tactics to show leadership. The more leaders in the world, the better. “
Pochettino also needs to make the most of French foreigner Kylian Mbappé by experimenting with his positioning to identify the maximum productive role imaginable for the 22-year-old.
“My first impression is that this PSG team is amazing, but it’s not new,” he said. “Kylian can play in many other positions. You can start in one position and end in another. The most important thing is how it works,” the area explodes and uses its quality. He’s a very sensible player. “
Pochettino has also shown that Marquinhos will remain the captain and is eager to begin his PSG training career in Saint-Etienne in front of his family nemesis Claude Puel.
“Marquinhos is the captain and will remain captain, ” he said. “As for their role, those decisions will be made as they go by. This is no time to talk about it.
“I expect a confusing clash with ASSE, a team with a transparent concept of how they should play and a coach I know well and admire. I’m happy to start there. “
PSG will be absent from asSE on Wednesday before the Stade Brestois 29 in Ligue 1 on Saturday and then face marseille’s fierce olympique de Marseille in Lens for next week’s Champions Trophy.
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