Mauricio Pochettino: PSG was a bad fit but Chelsea, Aston Villa or England would suit him in different ways

Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain departure is bound to be divisive.

As bruised as his ego may be at leaving Parc de Princes a year before his contract expires, Pochettino’s record includes a league and cup double and going deeper into the Champions League as any other manager handed the reins in the French capital.

That is weighted against the charge that he has failed to harness a squad that includes three of the best attacking talents of their generation. This was a team built to conquer Europe, not battle for domestic honours.

Pochettino was perhaps not the man best suited for a role facilitating such gigantic egos. This builder of teams would be best advised to pick his new challenge carefully.

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So where might that be?

There was a time when Juventus studied his credentials but his next destination is almost certain to be the Premier League, a division that captivates Pochettino and where he has proven success at improving two clubs with Tottenham and Southampton.

The issue for the Argentine is that he may be forced to take a step back to ascend once again to the elite tier of management, where your stock can rise quickly but the market is volatile.

See, for instance, the move against his appointment by many Manchester United supporters who viewed his time in France as failure. That was surely a harsh assessment but by moving instead for Erik ten Hag – the popular choice among the Old Trafford public – there was confirmation that his reputation had been dented.

What remains for him in England? Chelsea were once very interested and for all that Thomas Tuchel steered the ship impressively through choppy waters last season, there is a trend for new owners to move for their own man eventually.

Tuchel, who has rehabilitated his own reputation after leaving PSG, will be more than aware of that.

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Perhaps he will appeal for owners who have a “project”. Eddie Howe is well thought of and has impressed at Newcastle, so that avenue is probably closed off.

But somewhere like Aston Villa, where Steven Gerrard has been heavily backed but is yet to fully capitalise on it with results and movement up the table, might be the right move if circumstances conspire.

A mid-season World Cup, too, could provide him with food for thought. Argentina travel to Qatar as one of the tournament favourites and Lionel Scaloni’s position may be under threat if they fail to capitalise on the talent at his disposal. That job would surely by Pochettino’s if he wanted it.

Or what about England? Gareth Southgate says he will not outstay his welcome; Pochettino certainly offers a more expansive alternative that the current Three Lions manager.

Wherever he ends up, the presence of Pochettino on the managerial job market increases the pressure on everyone next season. He will not be short on offers.

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