Former France forward Nicolas Anelka has said that Mauricio Pochettino has an unenviable task of managing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The Parisians were eliminated from the Coupe de France by OGC Nice earlier this week. The match ended goalless in regulation time before Nice won 5-6 on penalties. After the clash, there were calls for replacing Pochettino with Zinedine Zidane.
Speaking on RMC Sport's Rothen s'enflamme, Anelka provided his opinion on the same, saying:
“It’s not to defend the coach because it’s true that so far he hasn’t brought what he should bring, and there is no game plan, but in truth, he cannot. It’s very difficult (to coach this team). There are a lot of people who talk about the coach and the players, but in reality, when you are a coach in this team, it is very complicated to come up with a game project.”
Anelka added:
“He knows that his time is limited; he will last as long as possible, but he won’t be able to last. If he wants to develop his game plan, he has to make strong choices like putting stars on the bench, something he won’t do with management above him.”
PSG have struggled this season despite having a star-studded roster
Looking at the Ligue 1 table, it cannot be said that PSG are a struggling team. They are sitting atop with an 11-point lead over second-placed Nice.
However, they have visibly struggled on the pitch, often requiring moments of individual performances, mainly from Kylian Mbappe. He has made 35 goal contributions in 29 games across competitions, almost singlehandedly leading PSG's charge.
They finished second in their UEFA Champions League group, where they were quite unconvincing against Manchester City and RB Leipzig.
There seems to be no proper identity of how they want to play. They have superstars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, Marco Veratti, Mbappe and others. However, there seems to be no cohesion between the players, and the work rate has been abysmal from Messi and co.
They face Real Madrid in the Round of 16 in the Champions League this month. The entire squad and Pochettino will need to step up quickly if they are to progress in the competition.
Cipacosz
0
. is jst confuse with his midfiled he dont know with whom he must start in the midfield i think he must just start with the ex player of liverpool number bcz if there no a player who supporting those forwad then there no score
Hawksxd
0
i think we all can admit...messi is finished
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that's what's ur mom said after ur birth
OneLove⚽️
0
PSG have the players but lack a great coach.
OneLove⚽️
0
It's obvious everyone wants to shine and that makes them individual players and easy for the opponent to defend them how good they may be because this is a teamsport. It doesn't matter who was there 1st but the players and especially the coach should know by now who needs to run into space#play on the flanks#dribble#create and when to 1-2. And if Pochettino can't stand the heat he needs to get out of the kitchen simple as that.
Suigetsu
0
I can bet my whole pay that PSG will eliminate Madrid, actually i should bet it
It will end in tears🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Suigetsu
3
Well spoken! Give Mbappé the reins of the team and you’ll get not only a good game plan but success as well
Vakdeknsz
0
The only solution is to play according to Messi's game plan. That will help any coach to last at PSG.
Maxpower
0
Pochetino is a small club Manager in a very big club ….. tilapia 🐟 can’t coach a sea of shark 🦈 and whales 🐳
Both the club and manager are just as small, but the egos do make it look big.
MykBisolakay
3
Pochetino is a small club Manager in a very big club ….. tilapia 🐟 can’t coach a sea of shark 🦈 and whales 🐳
rikabkmsuz
2
i think we all can admit...messi is finished
jotsamikael
0
I can bet my whole pay that PSG will eliminate Madrid, actually i should bet it
somebody is getting broke soon[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Poadnrtu
1
Pochetino is mid table coach, it is obvious he has to struggle with superstars assembled squad.
Bigmamajoe
0
With management is above manager in taking decisions, noone can coach a team
Beautifulboy
6
Not for this Two.
KingAJ2004
0
They were playing better without Messi
lol they didn't carry their league but now messi is here they are first
SarthakNimse
0
PSG showed they can work together when it comes to big games when they beat City on the 1st leg, I expect Madrid to play on counter-attack and take the position of an underdog like how they did against Athletic on the final, and even today they will still play the same like they are not a big team who must take a lead and hold more position in the game. To be eliminate them its only a matter of closing down their count-attacks and your done like how Eibar beat them in the league. Yep
everything you said is true brother but you can't gove possession advantage to psg because if they haave possession they have a star studded squad which works out something and gets at least a goal
m4verickplays
5
Meanwhile Man United is desperately wanting to relieve him if his duties at PSG!
Meeacems
3
PSG showed they can work together when it comes to big games when they beat City on the 1st leg, I expect Madrid to play on counter-attack and take the position of an underdog like how they did against Athletic on the final, and even today they will still play the same like they are not a big team who must take a lead and hold more position in the game. To be eliminate them its only a matter of closing down their count-attacks and your done like how Eibar beat them in the league. Yep
Meeacems
3
I can bet my whole pay that PSG will eliminate Madrid, actually i should bet it
emmaudoak
0
he was aware be accepting d offer so pls let him do wat he can and leave for another
as if you own Manu, what happens if he is hired?
dave2080
0
he was aware be accepting d offer so pls let him do wat he can and leave for another
Yoeadklor
2
Poor response from Anelka: It's always difficult to coach any major team, The thing is , Porch lacks the personality to bend this star-studded club to his will. Pep would have done better.
JohnCyrus
3
Yes is like playing FIFA you can’t put the foward out. Having Messi , Mbape and neymar it is very hard to coach them.
zimackmsy
1
Don't worry PSG has no tactics, that's the real problem, not Messi
They were playing better without Messi
DebruyneChris
0
It's not that difficult, he only needs to manage those egos, make the players play like a team. If a player feels like he is better than the rest, bench him
Okey but if acting tough will bring you results as a coach then I think the board will be behind you. If it doesn't then that means you will definitely be sacked
Leo_Messi_GOAT
2
I hope PSG tactics fail against Madrid so will beat them.
Don't worry PSG has no tactics, that's the real problem, not Messi
HeavyPunch
1
It's not that difficult, he only needs to manage those egos, make the players play like a team. If a player feels like he is better than the rest, bench him
its easy to say than done, when you start benching the superstar, and they usually has a group of players who support them, noises will occur, dressing room start to break apart, then result getting worse, media creates pressure with sacking talk, directors start to panic, and in the end its the manager who take the full responsible. it could create much more chaos than anyone could imagine. Players have more power these days especially when you have messi neymar and mbappe. Try stand in his pov, but of course you can risk it, just prepare for the worst or you can try not to do anything and survive as long as possible like how the article imply.
DebruyneChris
4
It's not that difficult, he only needs to manage those egos, make the players play like a team. If a player feels like he is better than the rest, bench him
AlbaStar
2
I hope PSG tactics fail against Madrid so will beat them.