The sweater tied on a PSG jersey, Mauricio Pochettino drinks his mate in the open air, an idyllic image of a morning selfie that he posted this Thursday on his Instagram account.
But this cliché refers to a more obscure, more political reality with its usual share of double play or double talk and backstage agitation.
Will leave?
Won't leave?
No one can be certain that the Argentinian will still be the coach of PSG on July 5, the date of resumption of training which he himself announced after the last match in Brest on Sunday.
This Thursday, he was announced everywhere but never in Paris, where he is on contract at least until 2022.
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What's going on ?
Since the start of the week, several media, first English, then Italian, Spanish or even French, have insisted on the possibility of Mauricio Pochettino's departure for Tottenham.
A club he coached from 2014 to November 2019 before being thanked.
The PSG denies and the coach, him, lets say.
According to our information, published on our site at midday this Thursday, President Daniel Levy's Spurs and the Argentine are discussing a possible return to London, the city where Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was on Wednesday evening while he would normally attend the Europa League final in Gdansk (Poland).
Surprise: Pochettino does not close the door to this idea when he landed in Paris on January 3 with a year and a half of contract plus one as an almost automatic option.
He would be disappointed with his first five months in the capital, especially with a troubled relationship with Leonardo, the sporting director.
At the club, no player has been warned of a departure by the person himself or by the voice of a member of the staff.
What does PSG say?
At the Factory, the headquarters of PSG, there is no Pochettino subject. The club's site, at the height of the excitement this Thursday, posted an interview with the former defender where he projects himself in Paris, a clever way to deny the rumor. He promises: "We will do great things in the future", talking about his relationship with the players. PSG ranks this information in the transfer window, with benches that change throughout Europe. There is of course Tottenham, who after dismissing José Mourinho, will not keep his successor (Ryan Mason). But also Inter Milan, where Antonio Conte left on Wednesday, or Real Madrid, relieved of Zinédine Zidane since Thursday. Without counting Juventus, which reconnects with Massimiliano Allegri after the failed experience of Andrea Pirlo.
The big guys are moving and the names of the replacements go round and round, including that of Mauricio Pochettino, announced in Tottenham but also in Real Madrid by several media.
PSG highlights the current calm that reigns at headquarters, recalling that at no time "Pocket" has expressed a desire to abandon his contract.
Moreover, Monday, he was still working with the leaders to the contours of the team for next season.
The Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, right side of Inter, would have also been erected as a priority.
What is the state of relations between Leonardo and Pochettino?
According to relatives, the Argentine would be disappointed by the governance of the Brazilian in a club where the stars dominate, sometimes placing themselves above the institution and therefore the coach. He would severely judge the role of Leonardo. An observation previously shared by Thomas Tuchel (2018-2020) or Carlo Ancelotti (2012-2013). The club still rejects this version, arguing a very good understanding between the two men.
In private, Leo has never hidden his satisfaction at having changed coach, by attracting Mauricio Pochettino in place of Thomas Tuchel, now rejoicing in a peaceful situation at the club between all places of power (medical sector, technical staff, management).
He said he was very happy with the work of the Argentinian, a choice that had aroused unanimity in Qatar as in Paris at the end of 2020 when the German separated.
For PSG, his departure is deemed impossible.
Can Pochettino let go of PSG?
However, it is indeed possible. The Argentinian can give up his contract if he really wants to leave. The club that would host him could buy him back, as Bayern Munich did with Julian Nagelsmann, paying RB Leipzig € 25m to sign him. With an estimated salary of 13.4 million euros gross per season, Pochettino can be worth double if one includes his optional, almost automatic final year. Everything is now a matter of negotiations, including whether it remains.