PSG confirm they have sacked manager Thomas Tuchel
German manager was dismissed last Wednesday night but reigning French champions took six days to confirm his exit as they lined up former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to replace him
Paris Saint-Germain have finally confirmed the sacking of head coach Thomas Tuchel, six days after informing the German he would be relieved of his duties.
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is lined up to replace Tuchel at the Parc des Princes, with his dismissal coming as PSG sit third in Ligue 1 - one point behind leaders Lyon.
It’s understood that Tuchel was informed of the decision on the night of 23 December, immediately after the side’s 4-0 victory over Strasbourg, with the news becoming public on Christmas Eve. But the club did not confirm his departure until this morning, with talks taking place over who will replace him.
A club statement on Tuesday read: “After an in-depth analysis of its sporting situation, Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel's contract.”
Tuchel’s departure comes after two-and-a-half years with the Parisian heavyweights, but despite clinching the Ligue 1 title in both full seasons in charge, his side failed to deliver the European title that the club hierarchy so desperately demands. Tuchel steered them to the Champions League final last season, but a 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich saw the French side miss out on that accolade and a below-par start to the 2020/21 campaign - which has featured four uncharacteristic defeats - plus the availability of Pochettino has led to the axe falling.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi added: "I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for everything they brought to the club.
“Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into his work, and of course we will remember the good times we shared together. I wish him the best for his future."
Tuchel also clinched the French Cup last season on top of the Coupe de la Ligue, and in total won 95 of his 127 games in charge.
It’s understood that former Spurs manager Pochettino has agreed terms to replace Tuchel, with the Argentine out of work since leaving the Premier League club in November 2019 when he was replaced by Jose Mourinho.
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