Mauricio Pochettino’s complexities with Paris Saint-Germain make the decision about Manchester United easy

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After a complicated night, a simple question. Did Mauricio Pochettino tell PSG he would stay?

The Argentine replied after his team’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester City: “The players know our situation well.” We know their situation. We live in a business where rumours are rife, sometimes negative, sometimes positive. This is not something to talk about.”

However, the performance at City will spark a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of Pochettino taking charge at Manchester United.

It wasn’t a glittering show from PSG. It wasn’t very important at all.

Their lack of cohesion was further accentuated against City’s impressive movement. While Pochettino’s team relied on individual flashes, Guardiola was a team. They were a system.

Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with Manchester United

(PA)

The superficial reading of this is that if Pochettino can’t do much with these stars, it casts doubts about what he could do with any big team.

It would also be an incorrect reading, as it overlooks the stark contrast to the core of PSG. The fact is that the more stars you fit into this team, the less similar they will be to the team. It’s an outdated streak now that City and PSG are opposing approaches to what you can do with a lot of money and state support.

But that’s not even half of it.

PSG seems unique in the world of football now, and not always in a good way. It is an unparalleled process.

Many of those who have worked in or around the club insist that it is nearly impossible for any coach to impose an ideology on this team. It’s not even that Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp will suffer, they probably won’t take over.

The stars have a lot of power. They are very immersed. If the coach asks for something he really can’t imagine, he can file a complaint with a manager who listens.

However, Pochettino is too politically attuned to do so. That is why he is trying to do everything you can do with PSG, working on something functional around the stars.

And then you have a situation where seven guys are working hard while the stars are just waiting, often hanging out.

Pochettino can influence PSG a lot with his trio of superstars

(AFP)

There was a moment near the end of the City game when Guardiola’s side were up front and Messi was literally standing there watching.

It’s massively worthwhile at this age, of course, but it involves a lot of compromises. And there are many concessions to Pochettino’s compelling style.

This is not the basis for a fully committed unit, and certainly not for a system that requires extreme stress.

That is why, despite all the public protests, Pochettino wants to leave. He just has to play the game a little bit.

He would also play differently at Old Trafford, if that really happened.

Despite all the disapproval towards some of the United players, their squad is nothing like PSG. Even sources who know Pochettino insist it is mostly suitable for his method, given that it is a fairly young group of players, who are now eager to train.

He will undoubtedly be much better than PSG. There will be many positives.

The truth is that it is almost impossible to judge his suitability for Manchester United based on what is happening in Paris.

They are currently a club unlike any other in football. It goes beyond tactics. It’s about the power dynamics of the club.

Practically everyone who has worked at Paris Saint-Germain says so. It’s the most complex for any coach. Pochettino’s decision should make himself fairly simple. It is now up to United only.

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