Christophe Galtier named PSG coach after Pochettino sacked
(Update 1: updates with Christophe Galtier unveiling, adds quotes)
Paris, Jul 5 (EFE).- Christophe Galtier on Tuesday was presented as the new Paris Saint-Germain coach.
The former Nice manager replaces Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, whose departure was confirmed earlier on Tuesday.
During his unveiling after signing a two-year contract, the Frenchman insisted that “no player will be above the team,” as he takes over a star-studded team featuring the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
The new coach made it clear that he has “the support of the board to make decisions about any player (…) who does not identify with the project”.
Asked about Neymar, who has been linked with a move away from PSG, Galtier said: “He is a world-class player, one of the best in the world, but a balance must be found.”
Nonetheless, he insisted that he wants the Brazilian star to stay.
The 55-year-old stressed the importance of putting on an entertaining show given the caliber of players at the club’s disposal.
Galtier acknowledged that he is “proud” but “aware” of the responsibility he has taken on. “If I have accepted this position, it is because I am capable,” he said.
“We all have to work together to make people happy. Alone it is difficult but together we are much stronger,” he said.
Galtier joined the PSG from Nice, where he had one year left in his contract.
He was previously at Lille, where he beat PSG to the 2020/21 Ligue 1 title.
“It’s a job of passion. There is no better place than Paris Saint-Germain to win trophies!” he said.
Galtier replaces Pochettino who took the helm at PSG in January 2021, two years after leaving Tottenham Hotspur.
He led the French club to win three titles: the Ligue 1, the French Cup and the French Super Cup.
But he was unable to steer the team to Champions League glory, getting knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid in the last 16 last season and falling to Manchester City in the semifinal a year earlier. EFE
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