As many other coaches in the sport would say so as well, Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino would be all in to managing Lionel Messi.
The FC Barcelona star is slated to become a free agent following this season. As expected, PSG has been heavily linked with Messi for a possible free transfer move, especially as the team currently has several players who he is well familiar with coupled with the fact that the club still has a hefty ambition to win the UEFA Champions League.
Pochettino is not going all out to make a case on why Messi should join PSG. Instead, the Argentine manager spoke about this possible signing to RMC Sport (via Ole) where he provided a brief mention on where he stands with this potential move.
“If given the opportunity to train Messi, it would be very beautiful, but if not, nothing happens,” Pochettino said.
Pochettino is a fan of Messi not only for his superb play but also since the two share a special connection in being former Newell’s Old Boys players. The Argentine manager began his playing career by spending six seasons at the Liga Profesional de Futbol club while Messi jump-started his career in youth football there.
Pochettino mentioned this connection that the two have and alluded that it could very well be a slight convincing case for Messi to join PSG.
“With Lionel, we share our love for Newell’s Old Boys,” Pochettino said. “We wore the same jersey, we come from the same club. The times we saw each other, we shared. We have this link. We’ll see.”
For Messi, he recognizes that Pochettino is a top manager in the sport. He placed him second in the vote for the 2019 FIFA The Best Men’s Coach award.
It will be interesting to see whether Messi does view PSG as a viable option for his impending free agency period.
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