The announcement Thursday, December 24 of the dismissal of his trainer Thomas Tuchel is a dramatic twist: after two and a half seasons and a lost Champions League final, Paris SG seems to want to entrust his future to a former member of the house, the Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino.

Announced by L'Équipe, RMC and the German newspaper Bild, this dismissal was confirmed by the club on Tuesday, December 29.

The success against Strasbourg (4-0) on Wednesday seemed to promise a peaceful holiday, throwing into the background the rumors of a persistent disagreement between Thomas Tuchel, 47, and his sporting director Leonardo.

A few hours later, it is the earthquake!

For the second time in the Qatari era that began in 2011, after Antoine Kombouaré, PSG therefore decided to change technicians during the season, sealing the end of two and a half years of often complicated relations with the German technician.

On Christmas eve, Tuchel is thus asked to pack his bags, while the qualification for the 8th of C1, torn off with a hard fight, suggested his maintenance until the end of his contract expiring in June.

According to information from the RMC and Téléfoot channels, Pochettino, free, is expected to take his place when training resumes on January 3.

Like the German, the Argentinian was dismissed from his duties at Tottenham in November 2019, five months after reaching, and losing against Liverpool (2-0), the first C1 final in the history of the London club.

I love you, neither do I

Of the same generation as "TT", Pochettino has an advantage: unlike the German, he enjoys great popularity with supporters.

He played two and a half years as a central defender at PSG, between 2001 and 2003, leaving the image of an irreproachable captain.

Tuchel has always complained of a lack of recognition.

In an interview with German channel Sport1 broadcast Wednesday, he conceded feeling "a little sad or angry" in front of such disenchantment, while he won all four national trophies last season.

He also explained the perks that his position required: "During the first six months, I asked myself: am I still a sports coach or politician, a sports minister?"

"It was a joke in German," he defended himself at a press conference in the evening.

One more misunderstanding that he could have paid dearly ... "But what is Tuchel playing?" Asked the daily Le Parisien Thursday morning.

These misunderstandings are part of his contrasting heritage, with six trophies and a few pots.

On the one hand, the warm coach, close to his players, who brought back the smile to the superstar Neymar, in cold with his predecessor Unai Emery.

The famous "spirit" which was close to his heart, was one of the engines of the Lisbon epic, until the final lost against Bayern (1-0).

"He managed to create a very solid group. He is a young coach, he has ideas, a very good character with us", summarized the midfielder Marco Verratti on December 1st.

Remontada 

Tuchel is also a follower of the blackboard.

The feat on the field of Manchester United (3-1) in early December bore the mark of his tactical expertise.

On the other hand, Swabia remains the man of the "remountada" bis suffered against the "Red Devils" in March 2019, with an 8th return from C1 lost at home (3-1, first leg: 0-2).

"My worst memory," he later conceded.

Lately, his spell with sporting director Leonardo about the transfer window, which earned him a public reframing from the manager, gave the image of an isolated coach.

The mixed start to the season ended up tipping the scales on the wrong side.

From the "clasico" lost against Marseille (1-0) in September, to the defeat against Lyon (1-0) in December, PSG lived four difficult months, polluted by numerous injuries.

Third in Ligue 1, one point behind the leader Lyon, he remains in the nails for a 10th title of champion of France.

He is also favorite for the round of 16 of C1 to play against FC Barcelona under Lionel Messi, in February and March.

But that will be without Thomas Tuchel.

With AFP

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR