Paris Saint-Germain are inching closer to the appointment of Ligue 1-winning Christophe Galtier as their next manager. Meanwhile, the Frenchman could be without one of the Parisians’ star assets next season – Neymar.
Mauricio Pochettino is facing the sack at PSG. The Parisians have decided to part ways with the Argentinian tactician, who follows sporting director Leonardo out of the door after yet another failed season in Europe. Luis Campos has already signed on as an advisor to the club and is targeting the man with whom he broke the PSG hegemony on the French domestic title at Lille, Christophe Galtier.
Galtier left Lille to join British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe-backed OGC Nice the summer before last season, and while the Frenchman was unable to repeat his exploits with the Riviera side, his stock remains high. PSG are negotiating with Nice to pay the release clause in Galtier’s contract – reported to be 10 million euros, per Fabrizio Romano – and are close to appointing him their next manager.
The club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi confirmed the same a week ago in an interview with Le Parisien, before claiming the club was never in talks with rumored target Zinedine Zidane, who, as per ESPN’s Julien Laurens, is holding out for a job with the French national team.
“We have a shortlist of coaches, we are in talks with Nice, this is not a secret. Many clubs are interested in hiring him (Zidane), including national teams, but no, we have never been in discussions with him,”
he said.
Meanwhile, Galtier – or whoever comes in next – is already facing a mammoth task in Paris. As per Goal, the Parisians have put star attacker Neymar up for sale, whom they would be willing to part ways with if the desired bid is lodged. However, the Brazilian’s wages could scupper a move elsewhere, while he himself isn’t too keen on cutting ties with the club just yet.
PSG are already planning for their season ahead with Kylian Mbappe as the spearhead, whom they re-signed on a long-term contract earlier this summer despite strong interest from Real Madrid.
