LThe sky has fallen on his head again! Eliminated by Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Champions League, PSG once again saw their dreams of greatness brutally crumble. The transfer window made of rhinestones and sequins last summer was ultimately just a flash in the pan. These stars of chic but above all fake did not allow the club of the capital to finally win its cup with big ears.
Four days after this umpteenth European fiasco, the Parisians found the Parc des Princes this Sunday, which wanted to do battle with its own players but also with its management. In the sights of the ultras of the capital club, a man stands out at the heart of the critics: Leonardo, like this scathing banner “Mbappé in Paris, Leonardo in the pillory”.
If the first mandate of the Brazilian sports director had proved conclusive with the arrivals of Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva or even Verratti, his return to business in June 2019 leaves a very bitter feeling. Unable to question himself, always at odds with his coaches and above all responsible for this team without tail or head, Leonardo is today at the head of a field of ruins. With, in addition, the announced departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid, he could leave PSG without a successful headliner on the pitch, as Messi and Neymar have disappointed lately.
Icardi, Ramos, Kurzawa: choices that challenge
Known for his good words and his sense of formula in front of the media, the former attacking midfielder has since put away his smile. The one who has been nicknamed “the architect” or even “the strategist” no longer has anything visionary about him. Despite an unlimited portfolio and a training center recognized around the world, Leonardo has failed royally. Like his strongly criticized work at AC Milan during the 2018-2019 season, the sporting director is no longer in the game. Mauro Icardi? A monumental flop at 72 million euros. Sergio Ramos? A golden early retirement for a ridiculous total of five games played in mid-March. Layvin Kurzawa? Extended despite a very low level. And Thiago Silva? Not kept despite his leadership profile which is so lacking today, he only needed one season to win the Champions League with Chelsea. Many choices that challenge and say a lot about his balance sheet…
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As for his first visit to the capital, Leonardo will undoubtedly leave through the back door, with bloodshed towards the refereeing corps. In the company of its president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, his voice shook the walls of the Santiago-Bernabeu. This is actually a terrible admission of weakness. No, arbitration is not responsible for this new European flop: it is indeed a vague sports policy dictated by arrangements between agents that has led PSG straight to the wall. This time, for sure, Leo doesn’t deserve any Oscars.