Another "new era" at PSG with the arrival of Galtier to take the big players to the jackpot

By Andrew Warshaw

July 6 - It was the most open secret and now it's official. Mauricio Pochettino's reign at Paris Saint-Germain is over after Christophe Galtier was named the club's seventh manager in 11 years.

Galtier was handed a two-year contract after arriving from Nice to replace Pochettino who failed like so many before him to clinch the Champions League title, the trophy that PSG backed by the Qatar seeks more than any other.

PSG President Nasser al-Khelaifi introduced Galtier at a press conference and said: "We have a new era to begin, a new atmosphere, new goals."

Galtier said he felt "emotional" and "proud" to take matters into his own hands. “We have to work in the right way to make people happy. I am fully aware of the responsibilities involved in coaching this extraordinary team, which is one of the most competitive and spectacular teams in Europe."

Galtier said there would be no special favors for PSG's star-studded squad which includes Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

“Commitment, respect and the team first and foremost. If, unfortunately, players stray from that, they will be left out,” Galtier said. “No player will be above that. a team should be. I am a very demanding coach.”

Al-Khelaifi posted the same message.

“No one is above the club,” he said. "If a player does not want to respect the rules in place, he has no place here."

Pochettino had one year left on his contract but followed Thomas Tuchel, Unai Emery and Laurent Blanc in being dismissed by PSG since 2016.

Galtier led Lille to the title of champion of France in 2021 and joined Nice last season, finishing fifth and taking four points from five against PSG who Nice also knocked out of the Coupe de France.

Ultimately, PSG's inability to handle pressure situations, particularly on the European front, spelled the end for Pochettino, as it did for so many of his predecessors. It had been expected for weeks that he would be replaced.

Al-Khelaifi has dismissed reports that PSG have been in talks with Zinadine Zidane. "We never spoke with Zidane. I like the player and the coach but we never spoke with him. Christophe Galtier was always our first option."

Pochettino had arrived at PSG as one of Europe's most coveted managers after guiding Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final in 2019 and making them regular participants in the Champions League champions.

But he only won one trophy at cash-rich PSG, last season's league title, and where he goes from here is anyone's guess with most, if not all, of the best positions in Europe already occupied.

Bidding your time seems the most likely option.

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