Paris Saint-Germain are a club renowned for making marquee signings on the pitch. Yet it’s their most recent addition off the field of play which could take them to the next level.
Les Parisiens recently appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new manager on a two-year-deal. He replaces Unai Emery in the dugout at Parc des Princes as the Qatari-owned outfit look to make an impression in Europe.
The Ligue 1 champions have dominated at home. But they’re yet to go beyond the quarter-final stage in the Champions League. Could that be about to change with the progressive German in charge? The Coral News Team investigate…
What does Tuchel bring to PSG?
This is a different PSG to the one Emery inherited in 2016. The Spaniard attempted to alter the style and culture of a club that was still being run by big name egos including Thiago Motta and Thiago Silva.
The emphasis now is on youth and a new era of galacticos. That bodes well for Tuchel, who has an excellent track record of developing young players. Ousmane Dembele, Julian Weigl and Raphael Guerreiro all flourished under the German at Borussia Dortmund.
With players like Kylian Mbappe, Presnel Kimpembe and Giovani Lo Celso in the French capital, his appointment can only be seen in the prism of a positive and long-term approach intended to help develop the PSG stars of the future.
His main battle will likely be when it comes to imposing a new style and identity on this PSG side. It’s difficult to alter the fabric of a team overnight. But Tuchel will try where Emery failed as he bids to get this team of superstars playing a high-tempo brand of exciting football.
There are two main risks that come with Tuchel’s appointment. The first of those we’ve already covered. What if the players don’t buy into his brand of football?
The second sticking point is to do with the German’s stature. Although he’s a promising and progressive young manager, he’s not a proven winner. His work at Augsburg II, Mainz and Dortmund has produced exciting football but only one trophy.
Big name dressing rooms don’t always react well to a boss with a lack of winning experience. Tuchel has a sole DFB-Pokal on his CV. For a club that desires the Champions League trophy, his appointment must be considered a major risk. The Coral News Team think it’s one worth taking, but only time will tell.
Can PSG win the Champions League?
So, can Tuchel actually guide Les Parisiens to the coveted Champions League prize that the Qatari-owners desire? Probably not right away. But it’s a more realistic proposition now than it was under Emery.
The tools are there for Tuchel to do the job, it’s just a case of making sure they’re used in the right way. His immediate aim will be to ensure continued domestic success and improve on a pair of last-16 exits in Europe over the last two seasons.
PSG have consistently underachieved in the UCL up to this point. Now they have a manager who has made a name for himself as an overachiever. While it may not be an instant match made in heaven, it should provide the building blocks for a Champions League tilt in Tuchel’s second season in charge.
