PSG sporting director Leonardo plays down reports that Mauricio Pochettino wants to leave

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has played down reports that Mauricio Pochettino wants to leave the Parc des Princes after just four months in charge.

The Argentine still has a year remaining on his contract with the Ligue 1 giants but it has been reported that he is not happy at the club.

Should Pochettino be granted the opportunity to leave this summer, he could make a sensational return to Tottenham or finally be given the ropes at Real Madrid, who have had him on their radar for some time. 

However, when asked by Europe 1 about the speculation, Leonardo said: ‘Mauricio Pochettino has two years on his contract with PSG, and we are very happy.’

The comments from the former Brazil international suggest PSG are happy to keep the Argentine, despite failing to win the Ligue 1 title or the Champions League.

However, Pochettino is said to have asked for his contract at the club to be terminated.

Despite stating his desire to leave, Pochettino will reportedly respect whatever decision the club make regarding his future and will finish out his contract if asked to do so.  

Pochettino has been named as the favourite to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid after they missed out on Max Allegri though reports claim he is set for talks with Tottenham on Monday having been earmarked as their number one choice. 

Madrid are searching for a new boss after Zidane stood down at the end of last season and also have Antonio Conte on their shortlist after top target Allegri replaced the sacked Andrea Pirlo at Juventus – though Pochettino is understood to be their preferred choice if they can get him. 

Spurs are currently in crisis after their worst season in 12 years which has left them without a manager and star striker Harry Kane wanting out.

Reports earlier this week claimed Pochettino is set to open negotiations with Tottenham on Monday, with their former boss also planning to ask Kane if he would stay for one more year if he took back his old job. 

The 49-year-old had a largely successful five-year spell in north London between 2014 and 2019 despite not winning any trophies and was sacked in November 2019 with the side stranded in 14th position in the Premier League. 

However, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy now wants to re-hire the popular Argentine after admitting he had made ‘some mistakes’ over recent decisions at the club.

Nevertheless, Pochettino’s future rests in the hands of PSG’s sporting director Leonardo and could be decided in the coming days.