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PARIS, Jan.2 (Xinhua) – Former Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino has been hired as Paris Saint-Germain head coach, the French league giant announced on Saturday.
The 48-year-old Argentine, who replaced German Thomas Tuchel, signed a contract until June 2020, with an option for one more year.
“We are very happy to welcome Mauricio Pochettino as coach of the first team,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of PSG. “The return of Mauricio fits in perfectly with our ambitions and will be another exciting chapter for the club and I am sure the fans will enjoy it.”
Pochettino played for PSG as a central defender from 2001-2003, scoring six goals in his 95 appearances.
“I am very happy and honored to become the new coach of Paris Saint-Germain,” said Pochettino after signing his contract. “This club has always held a special place in my heart. I have wonderful memories, especially of the unique atmosphere of the Parc des Princes.”
“I return to the club today with great ambition and humility, and I am looking forward to working with some of the most talented players in the world.”
After his retirement, Pochettino began his coaching career at the Spanish club Espanyol in 2009, before moving to England to take the reins of Southampton from 2013 to 2014, and Tottenham from 2014 to 2019.
He established himself as one of the world’s elite coaches on the North London side, where he led the team to their first Champions League final in 2019, only to lose to Premier League side Liverpool in the showdown.
He was fired five months later, as the club was only 14th in the Premier League three months after the new season, and was replaced by José Mourinho.
Similarly, Tuchel was sacked by PSG just four months after he guided the capital club to its first Champions League final, where he was defeated 1-0 by German champion Bayern Munich.
Tuchel’s last match in charge of PSG was a 4-0 win over Strasbourg on December 23 before the winter break, leaving the defending Ligue 1 champion in third place in the table, one point behind the leader. Lyon and the second classified Lille.
Pochettino will make his coaching debut with PSG on January 6 when the team travels to Saint-Etienne in the league. Final product
