Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain Monday announced that former Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel will be the new first-team coach next season after two sides have signed a two-year contract.
The 44-year-old German manager will begin his tenure in early July at the start of pre-season training, according to the club.
“It is with much joy, pride and ambition that I am joining this big club,” declared Tuchel after signing his contract. “I can’t wait to start working with all these great players who are all amongst the best in the world. With my coaching staff, we will do everything we can to help the team reach success, including on the international scene.
“Paris Saint-Germain has enormous potential and it is by so far the most exciting proposition in football. I am also impatient to get to know the Parc des Princes, a famous European stadium and one that boasts an incredible atmosphere,” he added.
Tuchel began his coaching career at the age of 27 with Stuttgart youth academy. In 2009, he enjoyed his first experience with a professional team when he took over as head coach of Mainz, and led this team for five years in the Bundesliga.
Tuchel quickly became one of the most highly regarded coaches in Germany with his fancy for dynamic, attacking football.
In 2015, Tuchel became the head coach of Borussia Dortmund. In a total of 108 matches in two seasons, he spearheaded the German club to win the 2017 German Cup, and always adhered to his footballing principles based on teamwork, creativity, high intensity and competitiveness.
Tuchel will replace Spaniard Unai Emery, who is set to leave the French capital club after his contract expires at the end of the season.
Under Emery, PSG swept four domestic titles, namely Ligue 1, French Cup, French League Cup and French Super Cup, this season, while suffering a round-of-16 exit in Champions League for the second straight year.
“I am very happy to welcome Thomas Tuchel as the new coach of Paris Saint-Germain,” said PSG’s Chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
“Thomas is one of the best and most competitive European coaches to have emerged over the last few seasons. He abides by very strong principles of playing spectacular and clinical football that has always been the foundation of German football, especially on the international scene.
“His competitive spirit, his preference for attacking football and his strong character are in line with what we have always wanted for Paris Saint-Germain, and the style that our loyal supporters have always demanded and admired,” commented Al-Khelaifi.
