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PSG-OM: Pochettino, the first title of the rest of his life?

2021-01-13T13:46:59.243Z


Appointed to replace Thomas Tuchel, the Argentine has yet to win a title as a coach. An anomaly to correct as of this month


So yes, this Champions Trophy placed in the heart of January is a weirdness.

But for Mauricio Pochettino, this final could well offer him a first row in his record as a coach.

As strange as it may seem, the new PSG coach has never lifted a trophy.

A first, eleven days after his appointment, against OM in a clasico, would have a very special meaning, even if the importance of this Champions Trophy must be put into perspective.

Aged 48, Pochettino has been coaching between Espanyol Barcelona, ​​Southampton and Tottenham for 12 years.

Its first two clubs, members of the big leagues that are the Liga and the Premier League, are not European leaders.

Starting with Real Madrid Zinedine Zidane way is a rarity and there is no shame in not having won anything during his time in Catalonia or the south of England.

Recruited in 2014 by Tottenham, Pochettino will quickly have a first chance.

A few months after his arrival, he played in the final of the English League Cup, lost to Chelsea's José Mourinho.

Pochettino offers Tottenham their best ranking

At the head of Spurs, the former central defender is experiencing constant progress.

In 2016-2017, he achieved his best run in the Premier League by making his team invincible at home, in particular: 17 wins and 2 draws.

The trips to the heart of the Kingdom are more difficult (9 successes, 6 draws, 4 losses) and cost him the opportunity to play the title against… Chelsea, again.

But, with 86 points won, Pochettino offers Tottenham their best ranking since… 1963. An eternity.

In five seasons, the Argentine will also finish twice on the third step of the podium in the Premier League.

On June 1, 2019, the former Argentina international (20 caps) managed to hoist Tottenham to the Champions League final after an incredible journey, symbolized by incredible qualifications in the quarterfinals against Manchester City (4-4, cumulative score ) and in half against Ajax Amsterdam (3-3, cumulative score).

In the final, weighed down by a penalty conceded very early against Liverpool's Jürgen Klopp, Pochettino's team lost (2-0).

A new chance to win a trophy flies away.

On Tuesday, at a press conference, Pochettino admitted not thinking about the title if not the victory to be sought against OM, notably evoking "pride".

The conclusion is for one of his mentors, Marcelo Bielsa: “We who pass into football believe that the reward is only in trophies and money.

[…] But there is a third element, of incalculable value, which is not necessarily a consequence of titles or of money, which is the ability to provide emotions that establish a link between a team and its people. fans.

[…] The ideal is the emotions, the titles and the salary ”.

Pochettino has the opportunity, in Paris, to tick all three boxes.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-01-13

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