Mauricio Pochettino has found an ally in Peter Bosz after the Paris Saint-Germain boss was snubbed in nominations for a Ligue 1 coach of the year award.
Lyon boss Bosz said Pochettino’s PSG has produced “a perfect season” and commended Pochettino for his work in Paris, leading a star-studded team to title success.
The French players’ union, UNFP, revealed nominees this week for the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 prizes.
Pochettino did not make the five-man shortlist for the Ligue 1 coach award, which instead was made up of Christophe Galtier (Nice), Bruno Genesio (Rennes), Antoine Kombouare (Nantes), Jorge Sampaoli (Marseille) and Julien Stephan (Strasbourg).
Galtier won the award when he led Lille to the league title, pipping PSG, but this year has been a procession.
Pochettino’s team has 14 points clear of second-placed Marseille with three remaining games.
Bosz said of Pochettino:
“Of course, he has the best individual players, but in my opinion, to build a team is the hardest thing.
“He’s a good coach. He’s the champion of France with the best players, but you can’t be the champion all the time. His job is the most difficult in our championship.
“They’ve been champions since October, that’s clear. And They’ve always been ahead. They’ve produced a perfect season.”
In January, PSG was knocked out of the Coupe de France by Nice on penalties.
And saw their Champions League challenge ended in March by Real Madrid.
By winning only two significant trophies – this season’s Ligue 1 and last term’s Coupe de France.
Pochettino has faced speculation over whether PSG intends to keep him at the helm.
While Pochettino was not included in the UNFP nominations, nor were Neymar and Lionel Messi.
PSG does have some representation ahead of the May 15 Trophees du Football ceremony.
Kylian Mbappe has been nominated as a contender for player of the year, Gianluigi Donnarumma is on the goalkeeper of the year shortlist, and teenage left-back Nuno Mendes features in the five-person pool for the young player of the year honour.
Likewise, for more football news like this, click here.
