Mauricio Pochettino's three reasons for fresh PSG frustration as Man Utd handed boost

Mauricio Pochettino is poised to leave Paris Saint-Germain after growing frustrated with the pressure of managing the French club, according to reports.

Pochettino is under contract with PSG for a further 18 months but could cut short his stay in Paris at the end of the season, if he is not dismissed beforehand.

The 49-year-old took over from Thomas Tuchel in January 2021 and, despite sitting 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, he has encountered many of the problems his predecessor complained of.

Pochettino’s position as PSG manager has come under scrutiny once again after PSG were knocked out of the French Cup in the last-16 by Nice on penalties on Monday night.

The result has increased the strains behind the scenes at PSG, which were already growing visible during January.

Le Parisien reports that PSG were approaching other managers last month to gauge their interest in taking over from the beleaguered Pochettino.

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was one of those contacted, but is reportedly unwilling to take the job yet.

One of the reasons behind Zidane’s stance is that he does not want to come up against Real in the last-16 of the Champions League later this month.

The feeling of discontent is mutual between Pochettino and the hierarchy of his club, including sporting director Leonardo.

And things could come to a head if the Argentine does not oversee victory against the Spanish giants.

After losing in the final to Bayern Munich in 2020 under Tuchel, PSG are desperate to win the Champions League and could fire Pochettino if he is knocked out by Real following the second leg of the tie on March 9.

That eventuality may well suit Pochettino, who is ‘fed up’ with the role, according to Foot