PSG have reportedly set their sights on Zinedine Zidane to become their next manager, with Unai Emery under pressure at Parc des Princes.
According to a report by Spanish publication Sport, Zinedine Zidane could be heading back to France. The Real Madrid manager, whose position at the Bernabeu is uncertain, is being considered as the replacement for Unai Emery, whose PSG future is “hanging by a thread”.
Zinedine Zidane’s managerial bow has been quite the successful one, with the Frenchman creating history in just the first 18 months of his spell at Real Madrid. Los Blancos became the first side to retain their Champions League title under the manager while also winning the La Liga title as well as several other cups – eight in all.
But, the first half of the 2017-18 season has been nothing short of a struggle for Zidane and Real Madrid, whose La Liga title hopes are slim at best. The Spanish heavyweights are still in the Champions League, but haven’t looked the part in the competition so far.
PSG ‘make contact with Zinedine Zidane’ ahead of potential summer mov… pic.twitter.com/KOzzcd7xLB
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Next month’s Round of 16 clash between Real Madrid and PSG could be a key game for both clubs, though. At Parc des Princes, Unai Emery is under tremendous pressure to deliver success this season after a sub-par debut campaign in which Les Parisiens failed to win the Ligue 1 title and got humiliated by Barcelona in the Champions League.
This season, the arrival of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have revitalised the side, and PSG have dominated the French top-flight this season. But, success in the UEFA Champions League is paramount, although there are other reasons why Emery’s future is in the balance.
The current PSG boss is not seen as a good leader within the dressing room, with widespread reports of the harmony not being ideal. The French heavyweights are in need of a man manager who could suppress egos and win titles at the same time, which is where Zidane comes in.
The Real Madrid manager has worked well with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and others at the Bernabeu, managing their minutes without creating much of an issue. And while his future at Real Madrid is uncertain, PSG recognise his trophy winning pedigree.
Any move to Parc des Princes though, hinges on Emery’s performance for the rest of the season and Zidane’s own position at Real Madrid, and it remains to be seen if the Frenchman makes his way to PSG ahead of the 2018-19 season.
