Thomas Tuchel sacked by PSG as Mauricio Pochettino leads list of candidates

German leaves Ligue 1 champions just four months after guiding club to Champions League final

(FILES) This file photo taken on January 27, 2019 at the end of the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Rennais FC at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris shows Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (L)congratulated by German coach Thomas Tuchel who has been sacked as PSG's head coach on December 24, 2020. The French champions declined to make any comment when contacted by AFP to confirm the reports carried by L'Equipe newspaper and RMC and German tabloid Bild.
 / AFP / FRANCK FIFE
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Thomas Tuchel has been sacked as manager of Paris-Saint Germain, the French club confirmed on Tuesday.

"After an in-depth analysis of its sporting situation, Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel's contract," a statement on the PSG website said.

Tuchel's future at PSG had been the subject of recent speculation after a variety of media outlets reported last week that the German was on his way out of the Parc des Princes.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager led PSG to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles during his two years in charge as well as success in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue last season to deliver a domestic treble.

While domestic dominance is expected by PSG, arguably Tuchel's finest achievement was to guide the club to their first Champions League final in August when they lost narrowly to Bayern Munich.

He leaves with PSG one point off the top of Ligue 1 and through to the Champions League last 16 after winning a tough group containing RB Leipzig and Manchester United.

"I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for everything they have given to the Club," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of PSG. "Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into his work, and of course we will remember the good times we shared together. I wish him the best for his future."

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is thought to be the favourite to succeed Tuchel in Paris. The Argentine has been out of work since his dismissal from Spurs in November, 2019.

Massimiliano Allegri, the ex-Juventus manager, has also been linked with the vacancy.

As for Tuchel, recent reports have claimed that he could be in line for a swift return to management at Chelsea if Frank Lampard is unable to arrest the team's recent slump in form.