PARIS (France): Paris Saint-Germain sacked coach Thomas Tuchel with former Tottenham boss and ex-PSG defender Mauricio Pochettino likely to be his successor, according to various media reports on Thursday.
The axing news were carried by L’Equipe newspaper, news outlet RMC and German tabloid Bild.
The 47-year-old German arrived at the Parc des Princes on a two-year contract in 2018, and guided the Parisians to their first ever Champions League final last season.
But now, if the reports are confirmed, less than three months on from the final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Tuchel has become the first PSG coach to leave mid-season since Antoine Kombouare was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti in December 2011.
Tuchel departs having guided PSG to a last 16 date with Barcelona in this season’s Champions League, despite being plagued by injuries, suspensions and coronavirus infections.
And in contrast to his predecessor, Tuchel appeared adept at man-managing his band of superstar players, giving Neymar back the smile that was missing during the Unai Emery era.