PSG confirmed the expected appointment of the 48-year-old Argentine on Saturday, disclosing that Pochettino had signed a contract until the summer of 2022, with the option for an additional year.
However, analysts say success or good performance at the domestic level would be regarded as a bare minimum for Pochettino at PSG, with the club having won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles.
According to experts, Pochettino will more likely be assessed based on results in Europe, where PSG’s big-spending Qatari owners are desperate for a return on their investment.
Recall that Pochettino led Tottenham to a surprise Champions League final appearance in 2019, when they lost to Liverpool, but ultimately failed to win any silverware during his five years in North London.
Interestingly, Pochettino is assuming his new role at a talent-packed squad of PSG which has the likes of 22-year-old French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe as well as Brazilian star Neymar with high expectations.
One of Pochettino’s immediate role and goals will be how to persuade both Mbappe and Neymar to sign extensions to their current contracts at PSG, which both run until 2022.
It would be recalled that Pochettino, a former defender spent two seasons as a player at PSG during the early 2000s. During those times, he played alongside stars like Brazilian legend Ronaldinho.
On his part, recall that sacked Tuchel had led PSG to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles as well as domestic cup success in his two and a half seasons where he held the leadership role.
Pochettino’s first game as manager will be away at St-Etienne when PSG resume their Ligue 1 campaign on January 6.
