Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of star-powered talent at his disposal with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League broadcast on Paramount+, CBS Sports analyst Jamie Carragher said the presence of those stars is why Pochettino should make the much-debated jump from PSG to Manchester United.
Carragher and fellow analyst Thierry Henry explained why the defensive deficiencies of PSG’s front three are holding Pochettino back.
“Pochettino has to get out of the club,” said the 43-year-old Liverpool great. “If he has the chance to go to Manchester United. I would be gone tomorrow, and it’s because of those three stars.”
While Henry maintained that PSG’s front three is “not a problem,” the former Barcelona and Arsenal legend pointed out that the disinterest of the stars in facing the ball defensively has left the club “exposed.” Henry added that Pochettino could fare better elsewhere in Europe such as ex-PSG managers Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel, who now manage Villareal and Chelsea, respectively.
“Everyone that left Paris Saint-Germain went on to win in Europe,” Henry said.
Pochettino, 49, has been heavily linked to Manchester United’s manager position since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s firing. PSG may allow him to take it, too, as they have Zinedine Zidane on the radar as a potential better fit going forward.
But despite the rumors, Pochettino before the loss said he’s “happy in Paris” and doesn’t plan to leave any time soon.
“I know the city well both as a player and a coach, I have always lived this type of situation,” Pochettino said. “Things happen and it’s not my responsibility. What I’m going to say if you ask me is that I’m happy in Paris
If Pochettino were to grow unhappy and leave for Old Trafford, he may run into a similar defensive issue he has now.
“We just watched Paris Saint-Germain twice against Man City, a team at their level, battered them for two games because they’re not getting help defensively,” Carragher said. “Look at Manchester United’s defensive record this season. I’m not just saying that’s down to Ronaldo; that’s down to the whole team, the organization, all over the place. But if you haven’t got 11 men fighting for each other, intense, like we see the other top teams do, it’s a knock on effect.”
Former Manchester United player Michael Carrick is currently serving as the team’s manager, but the club is searching for outside candidates for the interim job. The Independent reported that Pochettino could take over as manager by season’s end.
