Skip to main content

Mauricio Pochettino - The Final Piece in PSG's Champions League Puzzle?

PSG is a unique football club. With a value of over £700 million and its Qatar ownership spending a combined $1.7 billion on players since 2011, it's no secret that they're one of the powerhouses of Europe and the undisputed Kings of France's Ligue 1. However, despite their many accolades and the acquisition of one of the most frightening attacking forces on the planet, the Champions League trophy still eludes them. Now, the blame for this could point in many directions, but such is football tradition, PSG ownership pointed their finger at the manager, leading to the shock dismissal of Thomas Tuchel. However, with the recent hiring of Mauricio Pochettino, have PSG finally got the chance to capture European glory?

On the surface, the answer is clear. Yes. Mauricio Pochettino has already proven that he is a great manager who has the ability to manage world-class talent and reach big cup finals. In fact, just before his premature sacking at Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, Pochettino led them to a 4th place Premier League finish and surprise visit in the Champions League Final, where they fell to a seemingly unbeatable Liverpool side. History has shown that the combination of a world-class squad and a great manager is more than enough for Champions League success. However, Pochettino's triumph's as a manager are stained by one key fact: he still hasn't won anything! In his 10 year stint as a manager, he is yet to win any silverware and is something he will be wanting to change at PSG, but will ownership give him the time to do so? 

To me, this looks like a very one-sided deal. It is very clear that winning another Ligue 1 title is just not good enough for PSG ownership and won't be satisfied without the Champions League trophy in their expanding cabinet. In my opinion, Pochettino is not the man to lead this charge. Not only is he trophyless as a manager but also is not accustomed to this winning role. At all his former clubs, his job has been to bring the club up to a sustainable winning strategy in league play whilst also competing in domestic trophies and European tournaments. This is not the role that PSG are wanting to fulfil as they require a manager with a winning background that doesn't just get them close to the Champions League Final but wins them one. In simpler terms, PSG has hired a developmental manager rather than a winning one and it is a harsh reality they will have to face when sat on their Ligue 1 throne, watching other European giants lift the most prestigious cup in club football.

So in conclusion, this is a great result for Pochettino. Not only is he guaranteed a Ligue 1 title, but will not have to fight for domestic trophies or Champions League places. For PSG, this is the exact thing they are trying to get away from and instead, they need to pursue a progressive manager who's ambition of European domination matches their own.     




Labels:

Comments

  1. Godderzz99January 5, 2021 at 10:46 AM

    Very interesting point of view!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stevo 57January 5, 2021 at 2:39 PM

    I like him as a manager but there are question marks as you say, I hope we get to see these games to find out.

    Let’s hope so !

    Great work Bridge

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Extending the Possible - The Introduction of the 4-point line in the NBA

Since 1951, the NBA has undergone many era-defining changes. Through the evolution of its players, we have seen greatly different play styles ranging from the overly physical approach of the '80s and '90s to the rise of small ball. Remarkably, since the introduction of the 3-point line in 1979, no significant change has been made to the NBA that has made such a notable difference in how the game of basketball is played. So what's next? Well, with the likes of Steph Curry, Trae Young and Damian Lillard extending the limits of shooting ability with every passing season, something new is on the horizon; the introduction of the 4-point line. Since it's an introduction in 2018, the discussion over the addition of a 4-point line in the NBA is something that has been highly controversial. It is no question that the 3-point shot is at the centre of every NBA coaches gameplan in 2021 and is a tool that, if used effectively, can be the very difference between winning and losing a...
1 comment
Read more

"Pistol Pete" Maravich - The Most Underrated NBA Legend of All Time

When people talk about inventors that were ahead of their time, some might say Leonardo Da Vinci, Plato, or Hero of Alexandria. But if you ever want to find a man that was born into the wrong era, look no further than "Pistol Pete" Maravich.  Now, I'll admit, Pete Maravich isn't exactly a household name in today's NBA and I doubt you'll find him on any all-time lists. However, in the basketball world, there are two main things that Maravich is known for:  1. Having very bad knees. 2. Being one of the best NBA guards of all time.  As the son of a tough basketball coach, Press Maravich, Pete was sculpted into the mould of a great basketball player. The legend of "Pistol Pete" started at Louisiana State University from 1967-1970 and he immediately set the college basketball scene alight. Over 3 seasons, he averaged 44.2 points per game, an NCAA record that still stands to this day and is a stat that arguably makes him the greatest college basketball pla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Time’s Up For Arteta - Conte or Zidane To Follow?

The position of manager at Arsenal has been a cursed one ever since Arsene Wenger’s retirement. Those who have followed the great Frenchman have seen nothing but mediocre performances and mid table finishes behind the likes of West Ham. Despite initial excitement, the addition of Mikel Arteta hasn’t brought any additional glory to London’s north end and has managed only two 8th place finishes and a FA cup trophy. Now for a mid-table team this would be acceptable, but for a side who is supposedly within the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, it hardly stands up against the achievements of Arsenal’s rival clubs. The need for change is severe, but the next manager to run through the gauntlet will certainly have their hands full.  As of now, there are two big name managers on the market, Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane. Both men have had great success in their managerial careers, combining for 15 trophies between them, but in terms of style and philosophy they couldn’t be more different....
Post a Comment
Read more