Paris (AFP)

Five days after the earthquake, revealed by the press, Paris SG formalized Tuesday by a brief statement the departure of its trainer since July 2018, the German Thomas Tuchel, without however naming his successor, who should be the Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino .

"After a thorough analysis of its sporting situation, Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel's contract," said the reigning French champion and European 2020 vice-champion, without giving more details.

After a reminder of his record since his arrival in Paris - 95 wins, 12 draws and 20 defeats in all competitions, two French league titles (2019, 2020), a Coupe de France (2020), a Coupe de la Ligue (2020) and two Champions Trophies (2018, 2019) - PSG gave the floor to its president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi to greet, without effusion, the passage of the German technician.

"I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for everything they have brought to the club. Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into his work, and of course we will remember the good times we shared together. I wish him the better for its future, "NAK" said.

It is an understatement to say that the departure of Tuchel, announced on December 24 in France by L'Equipe and RMC and in Germany by the daily Bild, surprised, since his players had just comfortably beaten Strasbourg (4-0) a few hours more early in L1's last game before the winter break.

- "Thank you" -

The former Mainz and Dortmund coach, whose contract expired next June, paid the price for his continued disagreement with PSG sporting director Leonardo and statements in which he criticized his club's recruitment policy in particular , yet one of the most active and spendthrift in Europe.

He will remain above all the one who led Paris SG, last August, until the first Champions League final in its history, lost 1 to 0 against Bayern Munich.

Tuchel has also succeeded in resisting the pressure inherent in the post of coach of one of the most prominent clubs in Europe and in making stars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappé coexist and play together.

It is also the French world champion who had somehow "formalized" his departure by paying tribute to him on social networks: "It is unfortunately the law of football but no one will forget your passage here. wrote a beautiful line in the history of the club and I say thank you ", he wrote on Instagram.

- Resumed on January 3 -

According to the German press, Tuchel should receive six million euros in severance pay and could rebound quickly in England.

His successor should be appointed quickly, since the resumption of training at Paris SG is set for January 3.

It would be Pochettino, former player of the Parisian club (2001-03) who notably led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, before being dismissed a few months later.

Pochettino, 48, will have just over a month to make his mark before the next big challenge for PSG, which will challenge Barcelona in the round of 16 of the Champions League in February-March.

"Pocket" went through Espanyol Barcelona (2009-2012) which he saved from relegation, by Southampton (2013-2014) which he installed in the Premier League, before building over time at Tottenham (2014 -2019), but observers note that he has never won any trophy as a coach.

And even if he has the support of PSG supporters for having played at the club, he will have to win quickly and accumulate trophies, in particular the most prestigious of all, the C1, under penalty of finding himself like his illustrious predecessors in Paris ( Blanc, Ancelotti, Tuchel) under pressure.

© 2020 AFP