Why Jose Mourinho is the perfect man for PSG

2023-04-24 08:26:00

THE MONDAY TACKLE. In search of a new breath, the club of the capital hesitates on the profile of its next coach. The Special One ticks all the boxes.

By Adrian Mathieu

Very happy at AS Roma, according to him, could José Mourinho be tempted by the PSG adventure?
© FEDERICO PROIETTI / Federico Proietti / DPPI via AFP

Published on 04/24/2023 at 08:26

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MEven if Christophe Galtier is going to seek the Ligue 1 title, almost won at the end of the season, his future is dotted on the bench of Paris Saint-Germain. After his flamboyant start to the season, the former coach of Losc died out little by little, culminating in eliminations in the knockout stages of the Champions League and the Coupe de France. And more recently, the accusations of racism against him have weakened him even more.

If Galtier has affirmed his desire to continue next season, his record does not plead in his favor, especially with such a tasteless collective since the post-World Cup recovery.

Thiago Motta, an enticing profile but…

And now, what do we do? This question comes up as often with the approach of the off-seasons at PSG. It’s hard to imagine Doha leaving with a coach who didn’t convince, despite yet another promise of change and revolution last summer. For ten years, Paris Saint-Germain have tried all possible coaching profiles to achieve their goals. Thus, we had a very big name with Carlo Ancelotti, but also a former member of the house, like Mauricio Pochettino.

The capital club also tried to have real tacticians with Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel, but, after a while, their beautiful ideas were crushed by the ubiquitous egos of the Parisian locker room. The possibility of seeing PSG trust a young coach like Thiago Motta is enticing, but will he benefit from the necessary patience around him to set up his project? With a football that is more and more calculating and seeking results, it is not easy. Should we then be resigned? If the specifications are colossal to take control of this depressed PSG despite the prospect of the title, a profile stands out in European football: that of José Mourinho.

– 2 consecutive PL at Chelsea after 50 years without a title.

– UCL and UEFA Cup with Porto.

– The only one to have done the hat-trick in Italy.

– 1st European Cup at Roma.

– Undefeated 9 years at home in the league.

But according to twitter it’s just entertainment: pic.twitter.com/RXlZlvuBCm

— José Mourinho Show (@Jmshow10_) April 23, 2023

To straighten out a divided locker room

Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, AS Roma: almost everywhere he went, the Portuguese coach won and above all knew how to unite an entire locker room with him. Known for being a character in a press conference with lyrical flights of his own, the Special One is above all a formidable technician. Listening to the stars, able to help young players progress, accustomed to the European Cups, he fulfills all the conditions to become the Chosen One For Paris. And for those who limit Mourinho to a defensive game, it is to misunderstand his ability to put his attacking individualities in the best possible position.

Asked this week about his future with Roma, Mourinho said he was happy in the Italian capital. “I’m happy here, I can’t hide it, I love the people and they love me. I am respected by everyone, I have a good relationship with the owners, the same with the director. The players are fantastic, I have a huge empathy with them. I’m not saying they’re like my children, but almost, I’m really happy here. I sometimes have frustrations, I think of other ambitions, but let’s see. I work for people and people are happy. “With all this, it is hard to imagine him sacrificing the Dolce Vita for the Parisian chaos…

READ ALSORecruits, project, Galtier: the huge construction site of PSG for this summer

But Mourinho, according to multiple sources, is well on Luis Campos’ shortlist to pick up the slack next season. For a decade his name has often been associated with PSG, but all the planets finally seem aligned today for this hoped-for marriage to happen. It remains to be seen whether Doha will agree to give the Special One a free hand, because too often in Paris, coaches have had to sit on their principles and make concessions. Mourinho is not the type to cuddle or bend to the unforeseen wishes of his leaders. With a Special One who has carte blanche and a united club behind him, optimism could finally be back at the Parc des Princes.