The new manager of Paris Saint Germain Mauricio Pochettino has tested positive for coronavirus two weeks after joining the French Ligue 1 giants.
Mauricio Pochettino was named the manager of PSG on January 2, few days after the club sacked Thomas Tuchel who led the club to win two successive Ligue 1 titles and to the final of the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League.
According to a statement from PSG, the Argentine football tactician would have to self-isolate for 10 days in line with coronavirus protocol.
While in Isolation, Mauricio Pochettino’s assistant coaches at the club, Jesus Perez and Miguel D’Agostino will take over PSG’s league match against Angers scheduled for today, January 16, at 21:00. Pochettino might also miss the match against Montpellier scheduled for January 22.
The club statement read: “The coach of PSG Mauricio Pochettino is confirmed positive in the Sars-Cov2 PCR test.
“He will therefore respect isolation and is subject to the appropriate health protocol. His assistants Jesus Perez and Miguel D’Agostino will take over from tomorrow in Angers.”
Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino has tested positive for COVID-19.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 15, 2021
He will therefore enter isolation and is subject to the appropriate health protocols.
His assistants Jesus Perez and Miguel D’Agostino, will take over for tomorrow's match in Angers
Meanwhile, there are reports that Mauricio Pochettino contracted the dreaded coronavirus when he was celebrating Trophee des Champions PSG won after defeating Marseille 2-1 on January 13, 2021. The coach was seen celebrating with his players and members of staff after the final whistle without a facemask.
Trophee des Champions is the first major title Pochettino has won in his career as a club manager after coaching Espanyol, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Since he joined PSG, he has led the French club to three matches in all competitions in which the club recorded two victories and a draw. The club is currently sitting on the second spot on the league table with 39 points in 19 games, one point behind first-placed Lyon.
On the other hand, the latest reports from PSG’s Parc des Princes claimed that the club has prioritized the extension of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar’s contracts ahead of signing new players during the January transfer window.
The two players who have been the backbone of PSG in the last two seasons have less than two full seasons left on their contracts with PSG. Hence, suitors are queuing up to snatch them up if PSG fail to extend their contracts before the 2021 summer transfer window closes.
As of the time of publishing this report, Kylian Mbappe is still heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid but that might likely become official in the 2021 summer transfer window. While Neymar has insisted that he intends to stay at PSG amid speculation that Barcelona are still interested in his services.
