It’s the end of the season for him too. This Friday noon at Camp des Loges, Mauricio Pochettino spoke for his last pre-match press conference of the season. The opportunity for the Argentine coach to take stock of his first full exercise on the club bench and on the question that keeps everyone in suspense: the future of Kylian Mbappé. A future that he hopes to see him write at PSG when training resumes on July 4.
Kylian Mbappé is keeping the football world in suspense about his decision. How do you live the wait?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO. I don’t know his decision. It’s something personal between Kylian and the club. There are a lot of rumors, it is clear that we will respect Kylian’s decision. But it’s up to the player to talk about that, not for me to communicate on it.
What is your personal impression? Do you know when he will announce the news?
My desire as a PSG coach is that he stays for years to come. But I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t have the info, I don’t know what’s going to happen. And I don’t know when he’s going to announce it either.
It’s time to take stock. What is your best and worst memory in Paris?
The best is yet to come. I still have a year of contract. I see no reason for there to be any change. The best is yet to come to do great things with the PSG family and win the Champions League. It’s an obsession. Moreover, the worst moment is precisely these 20 minutes of the end of the match against Real. This raised questions and emotions that were difficult to control. Hats off to the players who were able to get up.
Angel Di Maria will play his last game. Why did the club decide to let him go?
It’s the same as with Kylian. I don’t have to communicate on that. I have the information, I talked about a lot of things with Leonardo. Tomorrow, things will happen naturally. But I don’t want to talk about it today.
What does Di Maria represent in the history of PSG? If it turns out that this is his last game, should the club pay tribute to him?
After the press conference, we have a meeting that will determine the organization and the celebrations. Angel is a very great player. What he did for 7 years is extraordinary, he is one of the best players who have worn the PSG jersey.
What did you think of the controversy around Gana Gueye and will he be in the group tomorrow?
My position is the same as the one I took last weekend, he had personal, individual reasons. He trained professionally, there is no problem for him to be in the squad.
How do you approach this match which could be the last for many players and perhaps also for you?
The two things are very different. We will see tomorrow. We hope for a match where we will have fun to take advantage of this last day and the 10th title. We will have a thought for all the players and coaches who have been there and helped win this 10th title, important in the history of the club.