MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 13:04:55| >> :60:2368:2368:

Paris Saint-Germain 'make U-turn on Zinedine Zidane appointment'

PSG 'make U-turn on Zinedine Zidane appointment'
© Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly cool their interest in appointing Zinedine Zidane, with Luis Campos instead prioritising Nice manager Christophe Galtier.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made a U-turn on their decision to appoint Zinedine Zidane as their new manager.

The 49-year-old has been considered as one of the favourites to take over in Paris since stepping down from his Real Madrid post for a second time in the summer of 2021.

Zidane was originally thought to be holding out for the France job when Didier Deschamps leaves the national team, but the latter will lead Les Bleus into the upcoming World Cup.

Reports on Thursday suggested that Zidane had agreed a deal to replace Mauricio Pochettino as PSG manager, with the Argentine's sacking expected to be made official in the coming days.

However, Zidane's advisor emphatically denied that such an agreement was in place, and PSG are still considering other candidates for their soon-to-be vacant post.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane pictured in February 2021© Reuters

According to Foot Mercato, the arrival of Luis Campos as the club's new football advisor will see PSG instead prioritise a move for current Nice manager Christophe Galtier instead of Zidane.

The report adds that PSG have failed to reach a full agreement with Zidane despite months of negotiations, and the three-time Champions League-winning coach is not Campos's first choice to take over.

Campos arrived at the Parc des Princes in the upstairs role earlier this week and is seemingly set to replace sporting director Leonardo, who could leave the club alongside Pochettino.

Galtier worked alongside Campos at Lille before the latter departed in December 2020, and the Aiglons coach steered Les Dogues to the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title ahead of his switch to the Allianz Riviera.

The 55-year-old helped Nice achieve a fifth-placed finish in the top flight last term and has a contract with the club until 2024, leading director of football Julien Fournier to send a stark warning to PSG.

Nice coach Christophe Galtier on March 1, 2022© Reuters

"If Paris-Saint-Germain want Christophe Galtier, they mustn't wait too long, otherwise it will be more complicated," Fournier told the press.

"He's under contract, that's the reality. So he's more likely to be at Nice than not to be. It's very basic but it's very true. After that, if Paris-Saint-Germain comes in for him... it's a decision that I obviously won't take alone.

"When this type of club comes to get one of your players or your coach, it's hard to say 'no'... Each passing day makes PSG's task more difficult, because we have to move forward with next season. If they want him, they must not delay."

Meanwhile, Pochettino is expected to depart PSG despite regaining the Ligue 1 title with four games to spare last term, as well as winning the Trophee des Champions and winning the Coupe de France since joining in 2021.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has supposedly already been informed that his days in Paris are numbered after last term's Champions League collapse at the hands of Real Madrid in the last-16 stage.

ID:487819:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5298:

Zinedine Zidane future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Zinedine Zidane

Click here for more stories about Paris Saint-Germain

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Zinedine Zidane in charge of Real Madrid in May 2021
Read Next:
PSG 'closing in on Zinedine Zidane appointment'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG29199169254466
2MonacoMonaco29167655381755
3Brest30158744291553
4Lille291410543251852
5Nice2913883122947
6Lens30137103932746
7Rennes30119104436842
8Lyon30125133949-1041
9Marseille29101094335840
10Reims30117123741-440
11Toulouse30910113639-337
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier30910113842-436
13StrasbourgStrasbourg3099123341-836
14NantesNantes3094172848-2031
15Metz3085173149-1829
16Le HavreLe Havre30610142738-1128
17Lorient2968153555-2026
18Clermont30410162149-2822


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!