We have never contacted Zidane, Pochettino has never asked to leave: PSG director

Mauricio Pochettino is thought to be one of the potential replacements of Ralf Rangnick as Manchester United manager.

As rumours are intensifying around Zinedine Zidane taking over Mauricio Pochettino as PSG manager, director Leonardo has released a statement.

PSG director Leonardo tells L’Équipé: “We’ve never thought about changing our manager. We’ve never contacted Zidane or anyone.” He further stated, “I can say that Mauricio Pochettino has never asked to leave. I have no problem with him. We talk about everything.”

Advertisement

The PSG director could have downplayed Zidane rumours to give Pochettino confidence as PSG are one step closer to the Champions League quarter-final and are on top of Ligue 1 with a comfortable lead. However, Leonardo’s stance might change if PSG is knocked out of the Champions League and fail to win it.

Although Pochettino was criticized at PSG, he did a fairly good job in Paris. He is the fourth most successful PSG manager with a win percentage close to 70% and under him, Kylian Mbappe became the first player to reach double-digit goals and assists this season, and also climbed to 2nd in the all-time PSG goal scorer list with 156 goals.

A key quality of Mauricio Pochettino is to play youngsters and get the best out of them. PSG have relied on their youngsters this season. Mainly Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Kylian Mbappe have been pivotal this season. It is safe to say the Argentine knows the ins and outs at Parc des Princes as he played three seasons for PSG as a player.

Pochettino knows the club well enough to know what is demanded of him, and given his experience and stature, he is capable of delivering what is required.