Mauricio Pochettino "never asked to leave" Paris Saint-Germain despite rumors linking the manager to Manchester United.
This was stated by the sporting director of the French club Leonardo, also denying the reports according to which PSG would have approached the former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, stating that he had "no contact" with the Frenchman.
British media reports earlier this week suggested former Tottenham manager Pochettino could be persuaded to leave Paris and join Manchester United mid-season. But it has since emerged that German Ralf Rangnick is set to take over from Old Trafford until the end of the season. This would leave Pochettino at the Parc des Princes at least until June, when according to rumors Rangnick will take on the role of United consultant.
"I think it is important to clarify the situation given the amount of false information circulating. Mauricio Pochettino is under contract with the club until 2023," said Leonardo. "We don't want Pochettino to leave. He never asked to leave and no club has contacted us about him." There have been rumors that Pochettino is unhappy in the French capital, even speculating a return to Spurs earlier this year. But the Argentine said earlier this week that he is "happy at PSG" and that he has no intention of quitting before the end of his contract.
According to Le Parisien, PSG, including Leonardo, had a secret meeting with Zidane at a hotel in Paris, and negotiations to sign the former Real Madrid manager have been underway for several weeks.
"It is ridiculous to imagine that a meeting with Zinedine Zidane could have taken place in a large hotel in Paris for all to see," said Leonardo.
"We have a lot of respect for Zinedine Zidane, for what he has done as a player and coach, but I can tell you very clearly that there is no contact and that there has been no meeting with him."