PSG’s ‘two conditions’ that led to Man Utd’s failure to land Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino was apparently ready to join Manchester United earlier this month if two criteria were met, according to reports.
On Monday, United announced the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season.
The German has agreed to a six-month contract as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary replacement before moving into a two-year consulting post.
Rangnick was the “number one candidate,” according to the club’s statement released on Monday morning, but there was plenty of talk regarding Pochettino last week.
United are known admirers of the former Tottenham manager and was rumored to be considering signing him to succeed Solskjaer.
For the time being, the Argentine has remained in Paris, but a recent claim from Telefoot suggests that this may not have been the case had United pressed hard for his services.
PSG reportedly would have been willing to work with United on Pochettino if the club had offered an offer of £12.7 million to £16.94 million (€15-20 million) to buy him out of his contract.
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PSG would have insisted on being able to find a replacement once that financial condition was met before allowing Pochettino to leave.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was reportedly considered for the position, although the French club never contacted his representatives.
Because United never formally approached PSG about Pochettino, the possibility of a deal never materialized.
United’s interest in Pochettino is unlikely to fade, considering the club’s ongoing search for a long-term successor to Solskjaer for next summer.
“There are rumors, and we have to live with them,” Pochettino remarked before PSG’s 2-1 Champions League loss to Manchester City last Wednesday.
“This is what we’re going through. We must remain focused. I am ecstatic to be a part of PSG. I used to play for PSG, and I adore the club and its supporters.”
Pochettino’s contract with PSG runs until June 2023, but he is said to be uncomfortable about living in a Parisian hotel away from his family, who are still in London.
PSG are ‘getting impatient’ of Pochettino’s flirtations with other clubs, according to The Athletic, and are ‘likely to be more open to his departure at the conclusion of the season, especially if he does not win the Champions League.
Pochettino’s background was checked last month, and United has been considering him for a manager for nearly six years.
Given the two managers’ similar footballing ideologies, Rangnick’s hiring as a temporary manager is only likely to fuel conjecture.
Former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s good friendship with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi could be advantageous if they hire Pochettino in 2022.
