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The next four weeks could make or mar the Frenchman’s tenure as Paris Saint-Germain’s [PSG’s] manager.
An unspoken objective for PSG managers is to put up a good run in the Champions League or you could find yourself out of a job.
Managers like Lauren Blanc and Unai Emery can attest to this after they were sacked following a poor run or performance in Europe’s elite competition.
Pochettino lessons for Galtier
Mauricio Pochettino was the latest victim after he was sacked as the club’s manager following a poor run in the Champions League.
The Argentine tactician took over from Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked in December 2020 after a fallout with PSG’s board.
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Pochettino’s first six months were disappointing as PSG lost the league title to Lille. However, under his watch, PSG reached the Champions League semi-final, where they lost to Manchester City.
That semi-final run kept Pochettino in the job, but he was not so lucky the following season as he was sacked after PSG crashed out in the second round of the Champions League following a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid.
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Pochettino was relieved of his duties despite winning the Ligue 1 title, showing why a good performance in the Champions League is needed to keep your job as PSG’s manager.
Galtier hoping to avoid Pochettino's fate
PSG moved on quickly from Pochettino by appointing Christophe Galtier from Nice. Galtier did not have the popularity of Pochettino, but he had a good resume in France.
He was one of just the three coaches who stopped PSG from winning the Ligue 1 title in the last decade after leading Lille to the title in the 2020/2021 season.
Galtier also did a great job at Nice before signing for PSG. Nonetheless, he arrived in Paris with great pressure on his shoulder.
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He was tasked with the responsibility of leading a star-studded PSG to an elusive Champions League title because the Ligue 1 title is PSG’s title to lose.
Galtier has overcome every test he has faced so far, with PSG finishing the group-stage campaign undefeated.
Les Parisiens defeated Juventus home and away in their group, finishing with 11 points. The only blemish in their group stage campaign is their failure to beat Benfica across two legs, which cost them a first-place finish.
PSG looked to be on course to finish as group winners on the last matchday but Benfica’s 6-1 win over Maccabi Haifa meant Galtier’s men missed out on top spot by just one goal.
As a result, they were handed a difficult draw against Bayern Munich in the second round, which means Galtier is set for his biggest challenge yet as PSG’s manager.
Over the years in the Champions League, PSG have succumbed to a defeat anytime they meet a big challenge.
Last year, everything was going according to plan for them, but a second-half capitulation at the Santiago Bernabeu cost them a place in the quarter-final.
It was worse in 2017 after PSG blew a 4-0 first-leg lead against Barcelona, losing 6-1 in the second leg at Camp Nou.
This has been a regular occurrence for PSG in their attempt to have a go at the Champions League. Les Parisens keep falling short anytime they meet a club on their level or better than them.
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Galtier’s PSG now find themselves in the same situation as they take on Bayern Munich in the first of a two-legged round of 16 clash.
The Frenchman will be rueing his side’s failure to finish top of their group, but the clash against Bayern offers him the chance to pass his first real challenge as PSG’s boss.
The pressure is slowly building on Galtier after a poor start to the year which has seen them crash out of Coupe de France and have their lead in the French top flight reduced to four points.
While they will still likely go on to win the league, Galtier needs his star-studded squad to make a statement against Bayern.
Win the tie across the two legs, then he may stay at the club for another season. However, if he loses the clash, it may be the beginning of the end for him at the club.
Past PSG managers have been in this position but failed the test. However, Galtier can show he is cut from a different cloth by leading PSG to the Champions League quarter-finals.
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BETTING TIPS Betting tips and odds for PSG vs Bayern Munich UCL fixture
There are enticing odds and betting tips available for the UEFA Champions League game involving PSG and Bayern Munich and we have analyzed the best tips for this game.
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