Mauricio Pochettino 'happy and honoured' to be named new PSG manager

Argentine signs deal through to June 2022 with the option for a further 12 months

Mauricio Pochettino was officially named the new coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. AFP

Mauricio Pochettino has been named the new manager of Paris Saint-Germain with the Argentine signing an 18-month deal with the French champions.

Pochettino, 48, the former defender who represented PSG as a player between 2001-03, has been out of a job since being dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur in November 2019, a few months after guiding the North London club to the Champions League final.

"I am really happy and honoured to become the new coach of Paris Saint-Germain," Pochettino, who has an option for a one-year extension in his contract, said.

"I would like to thank the club's management for the trust they have placed in me. As you know, 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 a lot of ambition and humility, and am eager to work with some of the world's most talented players."

The former Espanyol coach added that he would do his utmost "to give our team the combative and attacking playing identity that Parisian fans have always loved."

Pochettino replaces Thomas Tuchel at the helm with PSG third in Ligue 1, trailing Lyon and Lille by a point.

German Tuchel, who led PSG to the Champions League final in August which they lost to Bayern Munich, was dismissed on Christmas Eve following a 4-0 win over Racing Strasbourg.

Pochettino will take charge of his first match next Saturday at Saint-Etienne, as Ligue 1 resumes after the winter break.

Then, on February 16, he will be plotting the downfall of his compatriot Lionel Messi's Barcelona at Camp Nou, with the Champions League last-16 return leg on March 6.

Although he has yet to win any silverware Pochettino's stock is high in managerial circles.

The Argentine made Tottenham a consistent Champions League qualifier in four years at the Premier League club.

He arrives in the French capital after being linked with a number of high-profile clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barca.

He is due to meet up with the world's most expensive player, Neymar, France's World Cup-winning forward Kylian Mbappe and their teammates at PSG's first post-Christmas training session on Sunday.

Pochettino will be keen to take advantage of the transfer window to bring in new faces, with French newspaper Le Parisien identifying his former Spurs charge, Inter Milan's attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen, as one target. Dele Alli, who has fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho at Tottenham, is another.

And looking further ahead, given their Argentine ties Pochettino may be the catalyst for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi to consider PSG as potential new employers when he is free to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

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21 potential January moves

1). Lionel Messi. No player will generate more transfer speculation in January than Barcelona’s Argentine superstar. Messi attempted to engineer an exit during the delayed off-season but there was debate over the validity of the exit clause in his contract. Since then, Barca have hardly done much to convince their captain to sign a new deal, with the club struggling in La Liga. It would be astounding if Messi left in January, but he will be free to discuss terms with other clubs. Where he could end up looks to be down to just a few options. Potential destinations: Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. AP

2). Paul Pogba. Close behind Messi on the transfer rumour mill will surely be Manchester United’s French midfielder. His agent made it abundantly clear that his client is desperate to leave Old Trafford and it would be in everyone’s best interests to make that move happen. While he has so far struggled to justify his £100m transfer fee, Pogba remains a coveted and highly-rated player. Potential destinations: Juventus, Real Madrid, PSG. AFP

3). David Alaba. Bayern Munich’s Austrian defender looks destined to leave the Bundesliga champions after a breakdown in talks over a new deal. At 28, Alaba, who operates at both left- and centre-back, is in his prime and is sure to attract plenty of interest from big European clubs. A January move could be on the cards or could be a time when Alaba confirms his next employer for next season. Potential destinations: Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea. Getty Images

4). Memphis Depay. Lyon’s Dutch forward was on the brink of joining Barcelona on deadline day in the summer, but the move ultimately fell through. As Depay enters the final six months of his contract, it’s widely expected that Barca will revive their interest and seek a cut-price deal in January. Potential destinations: Barcelona. EPA

5). Georginio Wijnaldum. Amid Liverpool’s rush to tie first-team players to new contracts over the past year, the Dutch midfielder has been the one notable exception. Wijnaldum is a key player for the Premier League champions but negotiations over a new deal have reportedly broken down over his desire for a four-year contract. It could pave the way for Wijnaldum to leave Anfield in January, or at the least agree terms with another club. Potential destinations: Barcelona, Inter Milan. AFP

6). Florian Thauvin. Newcastle fans will remember the French forward unfavourably but he has been a star for Marseille since his move to the south of France in 2017. However, his future looks set to be away from the Velodrome, with AC Milan admitting their interest. The Serie A side will reportedly face competition from La Liga’s Sevilla. Potential destinations: AC Milan, Sevilla. AFP

7). Angel Di María. The Argentine attacking midfielder has been a stalwart for PSG but has recently been dropped over a loss of form. As Di Maria enters the final six months of his contract, his future appears elsewhere, with two Serie A giants reportedly interested. Potential destinations: Juventus, Inter Milan. AFP

8). Hakan Calhanoglu. AC Milan are said to be growing increasingly concerned that the Turkish midfielder has yet to sign an extension to the contract that expires next summer. Should the stand-off continue into January, there is one Premier League club who are, according to reports, ready to make a move. Potential destinations: Manchester United. Getty Images

9). Julian Draxler. A perennial squad player for much of his time at PSG, the German winger looks set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. There is also a possibility that he could depart in January, with reports claiming two clubs are interested in signing Draxler during the mid-season window. Potential destinations: Sevilla, Hertha Berlin. Reuters

10). Eric Garcia. Like Depay, Manchester City’s Spanish defender was also on the verge of joining Barcelona in the summer. Having started the season with his share of match action, Garcia has slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Ruben Dias. Injury has also hampered his cause. With his contract running down, Barca could look to secure a deal in January. Potential destinations: Barcelona. Getty Images

11). Riqui Puig. Not long ago, the young Spanish midfielder was expected to form the future of Barcelona, but Puig has failed to impress manager Ronald Koeman. As his contract enters its last six months, reports say a move to the Premier League could happen, although the Barcelona hierarchy might step in and block any potential exit. Potential destinations: Leeds United. Getty Images

12). Joshua King. One of Bournemouth’s stars during their stint in the Premier League remained at the club following relegation, but his future looks set to be back in the top-flight with two clubs linked with making a move for the Norwegian forward, who is in the final year of his contract. Potential destinations: West Ham, Newcastle. Reuters

13). Christian Eriksen. The Danish playmaker’s “dream” move to Inter Milan has quickly turned into a nightmare and if recent comments are to be believed, Eriksen will leave the San Siro in January. There has been plenty of speculation regarding Eriksen’s next destination, much of it focused on a return to the Premier League. Potential destinations: Manchester United, Arsenal. Getty Images

14). Yves Bissouma. The Ivory Coast midfielder has been one of the few positives in a drab season for Brighton & Hove Albion, and his performances have reportedly been noticed by some big clubs. Brighton will be loath to lose one of their star players in the middle of a season that’s shaping up to be a relegation dogfight but, then again, money talks. Potential destinations: Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid. Reuters

15). Philippe Coutinho. Another dream move that quickly turned sour, the Brazilian midfielder’s time at Barcelona has fallen short of expectations. With the club in a desperate financial situation, they are reportedly eager to cut their losses and sell Coutinho in January. Suitors may be an issue, though, given his wage demands. Still, there have been some clubs linked. Potential destinations: Arsenal, Juventus. EPA

16). Mesut Ozil. It's been a disastrous season for both player and club as Arsenal continue to slide while the German playmaker sits idly at home, excluded from their Premier League squad. Manager Mikel Arteta could look to reintegrate Ozil in January but would rather sell Arsenal’s highest-paid player. That might be easier said than done. Potential destinations: Fenerbahce. Getty Images

17). Divock Origi. The Belgian forward has never been central to Jurgen Klopp’s plans and his place in the pecking order has fallen further since the arrival of Diogo Jota. Reports have emerged claiming he could be set for a January exit. Potential destinations: Wolves, West Ham. Reuters

18). Arkadiusz Milik. The Polish striker has been one of Napoli’s most consistent performers since his arrival in 2016, either side of a season-ending ACL injury. However, Milik has been excluded from the squad this season after refusing to sign a new contract and a January exit appears inevitable. According to reports, there will be no shortage of takers. Potential destinations: Everton, Atletico Madrid, Juventus. Getty Images

19). Sami Khedira. The veteran German midfielder has found game time limited at Juventus this season, and with his contract winding down, reports claim a surprise move to the Premier League, and a reunion with a former manager, could come about in January. Potential destinations: Everton. Getty Images

20). Dele Alli. Tottenham’s English midfielder has seen his influence diminish this season due to a loss of form and rumours persist that he could leave the Premier League club in January. A loan with an option to buy looks more likely at this stage. Potential destinations: Everton, PSG. AFP

21). Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutch full-back may be one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, and with his Crystal Palace contract set to expire next summer, speculation suggests he could be on the move in January. It would be a big blow to Palace. Potential destinations: Ajax. Getty Images