There are great changes coming to PSG this offseason. The 2021-22 season was middling at best. Despite capturing the Ligue 1 title at a canter, their woeful exit in the UEFA Champions League took the shine off of the season.
The Qatari ownership has long seen conquering the continental competition as the ultimate goal. They took a big step in that regard by extending superstar Kylian Mbappe’s deal with some jaw-dropping figures.
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There is no doubt that PSG are planning to win it all next season, with Lionel Messi also stating that 2022-23 will be “different” from his side. However, before the on-field action begins, there are some key matters that have to be dealt off the field first.
Sporting director Leonardo is leaving his role, replaced by Luis Campos. The latter oversaw Mbappe’s rise at AS Monaco and held the same role for Lille too.
Agreement now signed between Luis Campos and Paris Saint-Germain. He’s gonna be the new face of PSG project after two meetings with Nasser Al Khelaifi. 🇫🇷🤝 #PSG
Campos is the man who built Lille and AS Monaco miracles, a huge one for PSG. Official statement in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/SaUE7hzBOu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2022
Les Douges thrived on developing players before selling them for huge profits. PSG will be hoping they can do some good business in the transfer window soon, after last year’s smokescreen.
However, the more important change in regards of playing is coming in the managerial department. Mauricio Pochettino is reported to be on the verge of being sacked after an underwhelming time. One of the names to replace the Argentine is that of Jose Mourinho.
🇵🇹 “Luis Campos, the new Sporting Director, is a huge fan of Mourinho.”
🔥 “I’m sure Mourinho would be tempted to work with Messi & Mbappe.”
Kevin Hatchard reacts to rumours linking Jose Mourinho to PSG 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/zQEr4NWfn0
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 4, 2022
The Portuguese led Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title, cementing his status as one of the best in the European finals. PSG desperately need someone to help them win the ultimate prize.
Mourinho has won it twice already. This does seem like a great match, but will it work out like that? There are certainly pros and cons to firing Pochettino and replacing him with Mourinho.
PROS
European pedigree
There is no doubt that when it comes to Europe, a team will want Jose Mourinho in charge. The outspoken manager has won all of his European finals and has a European trophy with four clubs.
His pedigree at the biggest stage is unmatched. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino has only reached one European final, which Spurs lost in a pretty weak fashion.
Jose Mourinho record in finals is very good!!! pic.twitter.com/rK5bigiCSN
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) May 27, 2022
Therefore, PSG feel this option is the only way they can finally bring the Champions League trophy to Paris.
They have tried a variety of managers over the years to no avail. Will the arrival of Mourinho make them an inherently better team? Unlikely. Can Mourinho impart his wisdom and navigate a journey through Europe? Surely.
Managing personalities
There is no doubt that PSG are a team filled with egos and big personalities. These need assuaging and managing in the right manner. Pochettino has tried his best, but his approach has been not sturdy enough.
There are a lot of minutes to juggle, which has not been adeptly handled. Gini Wijnaldum has not had enough game time and made his complaints known.
Donnarumma confirms to AFP: "I want to stay here at Paris Saint-Germain. It wasn't an easy season, I played half the games and couldn't give my best". 🇮🇹 #PSG
"Competition with Keylor Navas again next year? No, it won't be like that. The club will make choices", he added. pic.twitter.com/xSPr5IV7nZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 13, 2022
Gianluigi Donnarumma complained about his frustration at having to share duties with Keylor Navas. These little issues need to be ironed out, and Mourinho could be the man. He has a history of working with the biggest personalities in the game which could bode well.
Not afraid to confront
Jose Mourinho has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. He will let his players know what needs to be done.
This was evident when Roma suffered a shellacking at the hands of Bodo/Glimt in the Conference League. Mourinho publicly called out his second-string squad who were not up to the task.
Jose Mourinho didn't hold back after Roma lost to Bodo/Glimt tonight 😬#UECL pic.twitter.com/yA06DjWcQf
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 21, 2021
Maybe PSG do need a strong hand in dealing with their incapacities. Pochettino was not the most outspoken manager, choosing to be a quiet operator. Did PSG become too complacent? They very well could have been.
Cons
Too outspoken?
Something that has followed Jose Mourinho all throughout his later career. He can get too confrontational at times, which acts as a deterrent to the team’s well-being.
Moreover, Mourinho is not afraid to clash with referees or officials. He has also called out his players and opposing managers on numerous occasions.
Mauricio Pochettino dismisses criticism of PSG's Ligue 1 title win:
"A club’s 10th title in 50 years [of history] should not be undervalued."https://t.co/3t52r6bdMv
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 1, 2022
That kind of behaviour gives fuel to his critics who feel he throws his players under the bus. On the other hand, Pochettino is a likeable character in the media and can negotiate well.
He rarely has outbursts of emotions in public and can operate through dense public scrutiny.
Combustible nature
Some of Mourinho’s infamous flareups have led to the eventual downfall of the side. It happened at Chelsea during his second spell. Manchester United had a huge falling out with the manager.
Spurs sacked Mourinho after poor results. For a while, it seemed to be heading the same way with Roma.
Mourinho was a vanity appointment from Ed Woodward. A manager out of his time. A manager who looked more and more like a dinosaur with every week that passed.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) December 18, 2018
However, the pair steadied the ship at the right moment. Therefore, PSG cannot afford to have the combustible and flammable version of Mourinho. In this regard, Pochettino was always cool and collected, not giving anything away in public.
A different challenge
A major reason behind the success of Roma with Mourinho was the lack of any true superstar. The squad gelled as a whole which brought them European success. The matter is entirely different with PSG.
They have a bevvy of world stars, and that is just their front line. Players will want to play every game. Not all of the games will go swimmingly.
Therefore, Mourinho will not be afraid to drop some big names. That is a big point of difference from Pochettino who persisted with his star players. How will Mourinho react to this new setup? Only time will tell.
