Weltnachrichten – GB – Thomas Tuchel of Paris Saint-Germain sacked after interview controversy

Just four months after leading Paris Saint-Germain to an inaugural Champions League final, Thomas Tuchel was sacked by the French team, with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino announcing his replacement

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Paris Saint-Germain has sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino will return to management with his former club.

Just four months after leading the French team to the Champions League final – ultimately against Bayern Munich – the German was released from his role at Parc des Princes.

As reported for the first time by Bild, the 47-year-old Tuchel is leaving the Parc des Princes after two and a half years.

The former boss of Borussia Dortmund had won six trophies with Les Parisiens, including two consecutive Ligue 1 crowns.

But Wednesday night’s 4-0 win against Strasbourg was the end of the road, despite PSG finishing third in the French league just one point behind the top spots.

Before the game, Tuchel had given an interview in his home country in which he was quoted as saying that at times during his tenure he felt more like a « sports politician or sports minister than a coach ».

« I didn’t say it was more about politics than sport and that I lost the fun of training. That is not true. . . It is possible that they were translated incorrectly.

« Watch the video interview. I just said that PSG are unique and that it is a big challenge for me. It has always been like this.

When asked for the comment for the second time, he added: « I gave a video interview to a journalist who told me to make a story about German coaches.

« It’s not an interview for him. It is not allowed. I made a joke in German. The translation is incorrect. We cannot translate word for word.

Tuchel’s time in the French capital was not without incident – especially in the fight between him and the former sports director Antero Henrique and the current incumbent Leonardo.

In October Tuchel publicly defeated the Brazilian over the exits of Edinson Cavani, Thomas Meunier and club captain Thiago Silva as well as the promising young couple Tanguy Kouassi and Adil Aouchiche, all of whom had left for free.

It goes without saying that Tuchel wanted to keep club captain Silva, who impressed at Chelsea, but the decision to leave – described as « awkward » by the player himself – was made by Leonardo.

Tuchel called on the club to strengthen itself and had Leonardo strike back publicly: « I didn’t like the statement made by the coach Tuchel. I don’t understand and I didn’t like it. The club didn’t like it.

« If someone is not happy we can talk, there is no problem. But if he chooses to stay, he must choose to respect the decisions made by sports management. « 

After that, his last interview in his home country seems to have been the final straw for the sports director and the Qatari owners of the club.

Despite the club’s position in the French championship – where they remain favorites – and having won their Champions League group, they face Barcelona for the last 16. Tuchel was brutally shown the exit on Christmas Eve.

Former Tottenham manager Pochettino, who has been sidelined since leaving Spurs 13 months ago, appears to be returning to PSG, where the Argentine spent two years as a player.

In November, Pochettino discussed his willingness to return to management and stated on Monday night, « I’m always ready to go back and take part in the game. « . « 

Gary Lineker commented on social media: « Mauricio Pochettino is employed by PSG. A great coach whose only minus is the lack of trophies. . . Well that will change soon. « 

Paris Saint-Germain F. . C.. . , France Ligue 1, Thomas Tuchel, UEFA Champions League, RC Strasbourg Alsace, Kylian Mbappé