All Paris SG followers will tell you, Mauricio Pochettino started his mandate in Paris by handling the wooden tongue to perfection.
Far from the lyrical flights and fiery anger of Thomas Tuchel, his predecessor.
At each press point, the Argentinian technician takes great care to weigh and weigh each of his words, whether in English or Spanish, so as not to depart from a framework he has set for himself.
Or that its management has fixed: namely not to make waves in front of the media.
The directives are applied to the letter by the disciple of Marcelo Bielsa.
Tuesday evening, the former technician from Tottenham responded to the invitation of a Spanish radio station, the Cadena Ser, to discuss his arrival in Paris but also the hot issues of the moment.
Namely the contract extension of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and the rumor sending Lionel Messi to PSG next summer.
If he did not make shattering remarks on these subjects, Mauricio Pochettino said a little more than during his traditional press briefings.
Not enough to panic all of Europe either.
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Maurioc Pochettino during the Champions Trophy at LensPanoramic
“The club is working and making the effort to renew the players it considers important.
And it is clear that he is a player with enormous potential, summarized the Argentinian about the French world champion, whose contract ends in June 2022 in the capital.
What trainer wouldn't want to train Mbappé for a long time?
Kylian is very happy here in Paris.
The other day (when he revealed his annoyance on the pitch), it was normal, it's the frustration of not scoring.
He is 22 years old and this whole situation is normal.
The whole team must help him to be his best.
I have no doubt that Kylian enjoys being here in Paris. ”
Words sufficient to reassure all PSG supporters?
Certainly not.
But Mauricio Pochettino cannot go further on a subject managed directly by Leonardo the sports director and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president.
In the columns of
France Football on
Tuesday, the Brazilian leader, charming and never so strong once the microphone is open, had held a more offensive speech on the two stars.
Against the backdrop of a guiding idea: Paris will do everything to extend them ... up to a certain limit.
Aware of this reality, the new Parisian coach is part of this guideline, in all fullness.
He has no choice anyway.
“Each coach wants the best players in his group, he acknowledged among our Spanish colleagues.
Paris not only has the strength to convince but also to show how strong these players are.
I have not the slightest doubt that the club will do everything to keep its players. "
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On the subject Lionel Messi, it is still something else.
Asked several times about a possible arrival of his compatriot in Paris next summer, Mauricio Pochettino never wanted to enter the game of journalists.
As since the beginning of his arrival in France.
Aware that his slightest frank speech on this very sensitive topic would quickly make the salt of the European media, in view of the precedents between the two clubs and with the aim of the knockout stages of the Champions League on February 16.
On this point, as a diplomat, he lets his bosses, Leonardo in the lead, do the “dirty” work.
For him the ground, to the others the occupation of the media space.
“Every statement from me, as a PSG coach, can be interpreted,” explained the former coach of Espanyol Barcelona or Southampton.
I have a lot of respect for the clubs.
I am very careful.
You have to think, work.
Our responsibility is enormous.
We all know how the football world works.
We must show respect, not generate a situation that could be misinterpreted.
Ethics must exist on our part.
We have to be very strict on ethics.
We respect the club and the player.
The smartest thing is not to comment. ”
End of debate.
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