Paris Saint-Germain, the top club in France notable for being one of the clubs where Super Eagles legend Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha made his mark in football, have lost out on the opportunity to have Julian Nagelsmann as their coach ahead of next season.
PSG parted ways with Christophe Galtier after he led the club to win the Ligue 1 title in a topsy turvy season. His UEFA Champions League failures played a key role in their decision. Talks had been ongoing with Nagelsmann, who recently coached Bayern Munich, but now, Okocha's old club have lost their first choice option.
🚨⛔️ Julian Nagelsmann won’t become new Paris Saint-Germain head coach, negotiations are now OFF.
Mutual decision made as Nagelsmann and PSG didn’t agree on key details, as L’Equipe first reported.
PSG are already in direct contact with another coach. pic.twitter.com/9srYVBSQmN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2023
Personal terms unfavourable for Nagelsmann – Report
PSG are currently in the midst of a squad rebuild. Galtier is not the only exit from the club. They have also lost Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos who both moved on after their two-year contracts ran out. They are looking to get rid of Neymar Jr in the summer and are in talks with a number of teams, some of which are from the Premier League.
Moroccan fullback Achraf Hakimi is said to be eyeing a return to Inter Milan and long-serving midfielder Marco Verratti is also believed to be out of his way. The biggest news coming out of the club, however, is that Kylian Mbappe has sent a letter to tell them of his decision to not continue after this season.
While the club deals with the fallout of that letter which could also mean Mbappe's exit this summer, another disappointment has been served. Julian Nagelsmann is said to be displeased about the team's sporting project and is also unimpressed with the financial offer tables before him by the club.
French tabloid L'Equipe reported that both parties had had intense discussions for weeks before Galtier's sack but have now come to a head and have given up on the possibility of working together. Nagelsmann, meanwhile, continues to look for his next opportunity.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: #DFB are seriously considering to sack Hansi Flick. Decision being discussed internally, Rudi Völler could fire him soon.
🚨 Understand Julian Nagelsmann (temporarily) and Miro Klose leading candidates to potentially take DFB-Team job. 🇩🇪
More to follow. pic.twitter.com/X9jhivoMrL
— Wo sind sie jetzt? (@exprofis) June 17, 2023
PSG eyeing José Mourinho as plan B
Reports from France also indicate that PSG are looking to convince José Mourinho of AS Roma to move to France and lead their Ligue 1 title defence next season.
Former Barcelona and PSG player Thiago Motta could also take the job. However, this is dependent on PSG's decision to totally close the Nagelsmann chapter as reports also indicate that some within the club's leadership are not willing to give him up just yet.
A new manager could be announced in the coming weeks and that manager may be working with Italian Serie A top goalscorer Victor Osimhen who reports indicate is the club's top choice for a number 9 this summer. AC Milan has reportedly agreed personal terms with Samuel Chukwueze but the Villarreal and Super Eagles winger was also linked with a move to Parc De Princes to join the rebuild of PSG.
Both players are currently in Liberia as the Super Eagles prepare to take on the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in an important AFCON qualifiers 2023 match. A win will seal the ticket once and for all while solidifying their position at the top of the Group A standings.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago