It appears Leonardo is in his final months as Paris Saint-Germain technical director. Foot Mercato reports that the French superpower has been in contact several times last week with Fabio Paratici, who has been the Director of Football at Tottenham Hotspur since last summer. There have been doubts about Leonardo’s position for some time and there is a good chance that he will have to leave the field in the Parc des Princes after this season.
According to the French medium mentioned above, the dramatic elimination against Real Madrid (3-1) on Wednesday in the eighth final of the Champions League fell very badly at PSG internally. There would even be an internal investigation into football technical management, for which Leonardo is therefore responsible. Reportedly, there is considerable criticism of the Brazilian driver’s purchase and sales policy. In particular, the unsuccessful contract negotiations with Kylian Mbappé are blamed on Leonardo, it sounds like from France. The attacker has an expiring contract in Paris and everything indicates that he will exchange PSG for Real this summer on a free transfer. marca reports that both parties want to sign signatures on March 18.
UEFA opens disciplinary investigation into Al-Khelaïfi and Leonardo’s behavior
Leonardo’s behavior after the beating against Real Madrid is under investigation by the European Football Association.
Leonardo could also face a disciplinary investigation from UEFA for his behavior after Wednesday’s sensitive Champions League defeat in Madrid. In any case, the European federation will study the match report of the Dutch arbitration led by Danny Makkelie. The association can also choose to interrogate those involved, view images and carry out inspections itself in the Santiago Bernabéu. The investigation could lead to sanctions for PSG directors and penalties for the entire club.
PSG were furious with Makkelie after his performance in the game against Real Madrid. According to Movistar+ Al-Khelaïfi, the chairman of PSG, walked furiously towards the referee’s changing room together with sporting director Leonardo. Journalist Mónica Marchante wrote that they were “banging and screaming” looking for Makkelie. Al-Khelaïfi is said to have even issued a death threat to a Real employee and, according to Marca, broke a flag of an assistant referee.
Fabio Paratici seems to have the best papers to succeed Leonardo at PSG.
Paratici, who came over from Juventus last year, is according to Foot Mercato so it’s at the top of PSG’s list. The Italian is reportedly in doubt about a longer stay at Tottenham. The main reason for this is manager Antonio Conte’s recent lament over ‘s transfer policy the Spurs in the January transfer window. Conte found it incomprehensible that his club let four players leave and only bring two back. The devastating interview caused a stir in north London and the Tottenham board even banned the manager from speaking.
Paratici was already in the picture at PSG in mid-2021, but at the time a collaboration between the two parties did not get off the ground. PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaïfi would love to bring Arsene Wenger to his club as technical manager, with Zinedine Zidane succeeding Mauricio Pochettino in the PSG dugout. In the most ideal scenario, Al-Khelaïfi succeeds in his mission before the World Cup in Qatar in November. So for the time being, Paratici seems to have the best papers to take over from Leonardo.
Conte mercilessly lashes out at his own club and names ‘the whole problem’
Fabio Paratici is said to be very dissatisfied with Antonio Conte’s swipe at Tottenham’s transfer policy.