Mauricio Pochettino was officially introduced as PSG’s new coach. Pochettino has not returned to training after being sacked by Tottenham late last year. Managing PSG will be a big step for the Argentine coach seeing the many differences between PSG and Tottenham. Before imagining Pochettino’s work at PSG, let’s see what happened at PSG until Thomas Tuchel was fired.
PSG fired Tuchel hours after the match against Strasbourg. The match which was held on Thursday was won by PSG with a score of 4-0. However, these results did not change the fate of the German coach.
Since being appointed to coach PSG in 2018, Tuchel won two Ligue 1 trophies. He was also able to lead PSG to win the Coupe de France last season. PSG almost won the treble winners if they won over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final last season. Tuchel’s career ends with a 75% winning percentage in all competitions.
The Ligue 1 trophy will never be enough for the PSG coach. The demand for a title at the European level is a big pressure. Tuchel has not been able to live up to these expectations. But that wasn’t the only reason he was fired. PSG’s inconsistent form this season in Ligue 1 and problems off the pitch are a big factor.
PSG is now perched in third place in the standings, one point difference with Lyon who are at the top. Of the 17 matches, PSG have suffered four defeats. More than during last season where they only lost three times.
Tuchel’s interview with German media SPORT1 became a big problem off the pitch. He revealed that his job at PSG is more like a sports politician than a coach. The statement did not make PSG officials happy, especially Leonardo as sporting director.
It is clear that the pressure as a PSG coach is quite high. This challenge will be new for Pochettino. There are a number of significant differences between Tottenham and PSG. Pochettino’s name is known as a coach who can lift an average team to a higher level. Southampton and Tottenham for example. That situation he will not find at PSG. Player material is not a problem, therefore trophies are mandatory for every PSG coach.
Pochettino has never actually won a trophy as a coach. He was very close to the trophy at the 2014/15 Carabao Cup, 2016/17 Premier League and 2018/19 Champions League, but in the end Tottenham only finished runner-up. In his track record, Pochettino is arguably not the best candidate to fill the hot seat of PSG, but he has one advantage that previous PSG coaches have not had since Qatar Sports Investments took ownership of the club.
The 48-year-old coach was in PSG’s uniform from 2001 to 2003. Playing as a center-back, Pochettino made 95 appearances. He was in the PSG squad which was full of stars at that time like Ronaldinho, Nicolas Anelka, Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Heinze. The PSG captain’s armband was even worn by Pochettino.
This was not shared by his predecessors, namely Carlo Ancelotti, Laurent Blanc, Unai Emery, and Tuchel. Pochettino’s name is familiar to PSG fans. Having a history with PSG can be a valuable asset for Pochettino when coaching.
One of Pochettino’s biggest challenges as PSG coach is dealing with star players. This challenge is not easy for the coach. Emery has had a good career at Sevilla but struggled against Neymar at PSG. Niko Kovac didn’t last long at Bayern. Maurizio Sarri is known to have an attractive playing style at Napoli, but only lasted one season at Chelsea and Juventus.
Facing Neymar and Kylian Mbappe is not easy. Tuchel revealed this in an interview with SPORT1. Even so, Pochettino is not a coach who is afraid to make changes. Emmanuel Adebayor, Younes Kaboul, Etienne Capoue, and Aaron Lennon did not hesitate to make arrangements to provide opportunities for young players. These names are not comparable to Neymar or Mbappe, but this is proof that Pochettino is not a coach who cannot be in control. The status of a former player can also help Pochettino face this challenge.
Another difference Pochettino has had to contend with is tactics. Neither at Southampton or Tottenham, Pochettino didn’t build a team around one or two players. He has key players but Pochettino’s team still play a collective game. This made Pochettino still able to lift the team’s performance even though key players were injured. For example, when Harry Kane was injured in the 2018/19 season.
In the second half of the season, Kane suffered two serious injuries that kept him out for up to three months. Even so, Tottenham are still able to perform well. They ended the season ranked fourth in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League final.
With PSG, things will be different. Neymar’s ego that wants to pick up the ball from the low area and dribble passing many opponents will be a challenge for Pochettino. He has to make a breakthrough so he doesn’t build a team with Neymar at the center.
There are also differences about formation. Pochettino has the grip of 4-2-3-1 at Tottenham with Christian Eriksen as attacking midfielder. While PSG under Tuchel often played in a 4-3-3 formation. It will not be easy for Pochettino if he wants PSG to play in a different style when attacking.
One of Pochettino’s best-known tactical aspects is high-intensity high pressing. This does not appear to be a problem because Tuchel has also implemented the same thing. Star players like Neymar, Mbappe, and Angel Di Maria are not attackers who just want to cultivate the round skin. They can also be disciplined in defense.
If you look at the statistics of passes per defensive actions (total opponent passes divided by defensive action), this season PSG has a high pressing intensity. They recorded a PPDA of 7.77. While Tottenham while still being coached by Pochettino, recorded a PPDA of 9.54. The smaller this number, it means that the more intense the pressing is applied.
Pochettino’s appointment as PSG’s new coach will be interesting. PSG can get a coach who has a history with the club as a player. For Pochettino, he has a great chance of winning the first trophy in his coaching career with the quality of good PSG players. Even so, there are various differences in situations between PSG and Tottenham which are a challenge for Pochettino to go through. It will be interesting to see how Pochettino’s activities are at PSG.
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