PSG want Zinedine Zidane to replace Mauricio Pochettino?

Former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane could take over at Paris Saint-Germain. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly want Zinedine Zidane to replace Mauricio Pochettino

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/10/22

Reports surfaced in November claiming that footballing legend and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, who guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and twice won the La Liga crown during two stints with the club, could take over at Paris Saint-Germain if PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino left to join Premier League side Manchester United.

Much has changed since then.

Pochettino's Paris Saint-Germain crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of none other than Real Madrid in the round of 16, and new PSG sporting director Luis Campos is reportedly looking to replace the former Tottenham Hotspur coach with somebody capable of navigating the Parisians to European glory. United, meanwhile, now have Erik ten Hag serving as their new manager.

Earlier on Friday, ESPN's Julien Laurens reported that Paris Saint-Germain "are trying to convince" Zidane to sign on as Pochettino's replacement. Football insider Fabrizio Romano later made it clear, however, that no deal is imminent at this time:

Zinedine Zidane’s advisor Migliaccio tells L’Équipe: “All these rumors about an agreement with PSG are unfounded. Neither Zinedine nor I have been contacted directly by the PSG owner”. #PSG

“I’m the only one allowed to speak for Zidane and represent him, as of today”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2022

Laurens notes that it's thought Zidane, who worked with superstars while with "Los Blancos," is the ideal manager to get the best out of a PSG squad that includes massive names like Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar (although Neymar could potentially be sold this summer). Zidane has allegedly been waiting for the France national team gig for at least a year, though, and could accept that role before the start of 2023 assuming Didier Deschamps leaves his post after the World Cup that ends in December.

Laurens added that PSG "are considering a clause in Zidane's contract that would allow him to take the France job when it becomes available."

As for Pochettino, it seems to be a matter of when, not if, he will be shown the door before next season starts:

Those Instagram stories by Mauricio Pochettino now sound like a farewell message to Paris Saint-Germain, as he’s gonna part ways with the club in the coming days. #PSG

Paris Saint-Germain are expected to announce Luis Campos as new Club Advisor today. pic.twitter.com/lchcAmV3jM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 9, 2022