PSG next manager odds: Zinedine Zidane, Thomas Tuchel among latest favourites to replace Christophe Galtier
Paris Saint-Germain’s 2022/23 season is set to be defined on either side of the March international break in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
The Parisians are in a strong position to defend their domestic title after Le Classique’s impressive 3-0 win over second-placed Marseille in late February after Igor Tudor’s side knocked them out of the Coupe de France.
However, head coach Christophe Galtier is under increasing pressure as European glory is the real aim of PSG Qatar ownership after huge investments were made to sign Lionel Messi and keep Kylian Mbappe.
If Galtier doesn’t live up to expectations in the Champions League – and to have to come back from a round of 16 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich – then he could be out of a job even if they retain their league title.
The Sporting News takes a look below at the possibilities of becoming PSG’s next manager.
MORE: When was Lionel Messi last winning the Champions League?
Will PSG fire Christophe Galtier?
Galtier was appointed to replace Mauricio Pochettino last summer as PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi heralded a new era in which “flashy, bling-bling” players and staff would no longer be the goal.
However, Galtier is under the same pressure as his recent predecessors: if PSG fail again to win the first Champions League, he could be out of a job.
Galtier led Lille to a surprise Ligue 1 title two years ago and is likely to lift that trophy again with PSG, but a sobering exit from the Coupe de France at Marseille dealt a blow to his support, knocking them out of the Champions League for fifth in the round of 16 time in seven seasons would likely prompt the owners to take decisive action.
Next PSG manager quote: The favorites
Sporting News will update this page as odds become available. The main candidates for PSG’s next permanent coach are discussed below.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane is rumored to be the constant first choice for the club owners who failed to lure him to Paris on two previous occasions due to interest from Real Madrid and Zidane’s desire to coach the France national team.
Without facing the temptation of a third stint in Madrid and Didier Deschamps extending his contract as Les Bleus manager, Zidane has confirmed he is open to a new challenge in 2023.
According to reports from RMC Sport, the Qatari emir is still determined to land Zidane, who won three straight Champions League wins with Madrid, while his former team-mate Emmanuel Petit claimed he could be tempted due to his “special relationship” with Paris advised French capital.
Thomas Tuchel
Due to a lack of options and some of the biggest coaching names in world football already having a connection with PSG, the club could be forced to hire a former head coach.
Mauricio Pochettino seems determined to return to the Premier League next season but Tuchel is a more viable option following his departure from Chelsea in 2022.
Despite both Pochettino and Tuchel suffering rather acrimonious departures from the Parc des Princes, the German seems to have moved on from his first stint at the club.
PSG famously removed Tuchel on Christmas Day 2020 but reports from the Evening Standard claim that Tuchel is open to a return provided his demands for a reduction in player strength and greater transfer control are met.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss remains the man who will bring PSG closest to their European dreams after guiding them to the Champions League final in 2020 when they lost to Bayern.
Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique has clearly expressed his desire to return to the club’s leadership after retiring from his job in Spain after the 2022 World Cup.
Despite being eliminated by surprise package Morocco in the Round of 16, Luis Enrique’s coaching roster remains very high based on a Euro 2020 semi-final appearance and his incredible record at Barcelona.
Much like Tuchel, ‘Lucho’ would like to agree certain terms before talks start, but the enigmatic Spaniard would be a welcome addition to French football.
Christophe Galtier contract
Galtier agreed a two-year deal to replace Pochettino at Paris earlier in the 2022/23 season, with his position certainly up for review in the coming months.
PSG ownership would have no problem terminating his contract and negotiating a payout – especially if they want to sign Zidane – if they decide a change is needed.
PSG have made a habit of quickly shedding managers under QSI’s leadership and Galtier’s potential pay package would be less than previous layoffs.
List of PSG managers under QSI
Galtier is PSG’s sixth appointment as head coach since Qatar Sports Investments became owner of the club in March 2012, with Antoine Kombouare and Carlo Ancelotti covering the period between acquiring majority stake and full control.
Ancelotti was the early icon of the QSI project in Paris, followed by former French captain and 1998 World Champion Laurent Blanc and later Unai Emery.
Neymar’s signing was to be the hallmark of Emery’s tenure, followed by Mbappe’s eventual arrival under Tuchel, with Pochettino and Galtier sharing the last two and a half seasons.
| Surname | Appointments managed | win ratio | trophies won |
| Carlo Ancelotti | January 2012 – May 2013 | 63.6% | League 1 (2012/13) |
| Laurent Blanc | August 2013 – May 2016 | 72.8% |
League 1 (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16) Coupe de France (2014/15, 2015/16) Cup of the League (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16) Champion’s Trophy (2013, 2014, 2015) |
| Unai Emery | August 2016 – May 2018 | 76.3% |
League 1 (2017/18) Coupe de France (2016/17, 2017/18) Cup of the League (2016/17, 2017/18) Champion’s Trophy (2016, 2017) |
| Thomas Tuchel | Aug 2018 – Dec 2020 | 74.8% |
League 1 (2018/19, 2019/20) Coupe de France (2019/20) Cup of the League (2019/20) Champion’s Trophy (2018, 2019) |
| Maurice Pochettino | January 2021 – July 2022 | 65.4% |
League 1 (2021/22) Coupe de France (2020/21) Trophy of the Champion (2020) |
| Christopher Galtier | July 2022 – Present | 72.9% | — |