Feels like every week I'm fired but need time at PSG, admits Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has urged his side to back him thoroughly and allow him a chance to build a long-term project while asserting that the speculation surrounding his future at the French club doesn’t bother him as he believes in himself. Reports have indicated that Pochettino is set to be sacked.
Mauricio Pochettino returned to the Parc des Princes as Paris Saint-Germain’s manager ahead in January 2021 after representing the French club during his playing years. The Argentinean coach’s first transfer window coincided with an exciting summer for the Ligue 1 side as they recruited star names such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donarumma on a free transfers while signing Achraf Hakimi as well.
The hope was that strengthening the squad with several new additions would invigorate their quest for their first-ever Champions League although it didn’t go according to plan. Because while Pochettino helped win the Ligue 1 title this year, after losing to Lille last term, and helped further his side's ambitions by claiming two domestic trophies, he was unable to prevent PSG’s exit to Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Champions League this season.
The European exit has sparked questions about the Argentinean's role at PSG with the Ligue 1 side reportedly looking at Zinedine Zidane and Jose Mourinho as potential replacements. Pochettino has admitted that he believes in himself despite the uncertainty and urged the French club’s hierarchy to back him as Manchester City did with Pep Guardiola.
“I have one year left on my contract and there are a lot of rumours. Every week I am fired. PSG arouses this kind of thing. The club is trying to reinvent itself. but I'm calm. To get here, you have to be a good coach and after a year and a half there, I feel like one of the best,” Pochettino said in an interview with Esport3.
"You have to give value to the championship and the cup (in Paris). The Champions League is a competition that has very few games. I like City because they gave Guardiola the opportunity to build. They gave him time. At PSG, you also need that,” he added.