Pochettino signs new contract to remain with PSG until 2023

By Sports Desk July 23, 2021

Paris Saint-Germain have announced head coach Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new deal that will keep him in the French capital until 2023.

Pochettino arrived at the Ligue 1 club at the start of January, taking over following the departure of Thomas Tuchel, who is now in charge at Chelsea.

The former PSG defender was unable to secure the top-flight title for a fourth straight season, however, as the reigning champions were dethroned by Lille. They did win the Coupe de France, as well as reaching the last four of the Champions League.

Previously linked with a stunning return to Tottenham, who sacked the Argentinian back in November 2019, Pochettino has now agreed to extend his stay in Paris, along with his coaching staff.

"I'm really very happy, for myself and also for my staff," Pochettino told the PSG website.

"It's very important for us to feel the confidence of the club and we will give our maximum so that the supporters are proud of Paris Saint-Germain. That's why we will try and reach our objectives all together, as one.

"Twenty years ago I was captain of this club and today I am the coach… It's a dream come true."

PSG have been busy during the close-season as they prepare for the new campaign, with Pochettino seeing his first-team squad boosted by a host of big-name arrivals.

Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma have all arrived on free transfers, while Achraf Hakimi was signed from Inter for a reported initial fee of €68million.

"We are delighted that Mauricio has reaffirmed his commitment to the Paris Saint-Germain family," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman and CEO of PSG.

"Having also captained the team 20 years ago, he understands the club values, ambition and vision for the future. With Mauricio's leadership, we're excited and confident about what the future holds."

PSG kick off the season on August 1 when they take on Lille in the Trophee des Champions. Their Ligue 1 campaign begins six days later with a trip to Troyes.

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    Injuries and poor form restricted him to just 76 appearances in all competitions before leaving the club after four disappointing years last summer.

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    “I spent seven years, the best memories of my football career,” he said.

    “I met great players, not just inside the team but also outside the club, it was seven years of pure happiness.

    “When you leave you always feel a bit sad but this club is always in my head, so just good memories.”

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    He does not see a future in professional coaching or management, but would love to help his five children follow him into the game.

    “I am enjoying it a lot, I miss being with the lads in the dressing room a bit but I have the freedom to do what I want now,” he told the PA news agency.

    “I have kids, I have family, I can go to Belgium to see my mum and dad, so I can do a lot of things.

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