Mauricio Pochettino has criticised Paris Saint-Germain’s fixation on winning the Champions League, claiming it has hindered the club’s progress. The former Tottenham boss was sacked by the French side in July after 18 months in charge, despite winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.
In his first interview since leaving, Pochettino told Argentine media: 'Everything is focused on the Champions League and sometimes that distracts a bit. The obsession is the Champions League and everything that is not winning the Champions League is synonymous with failure.'
Pochettino’s PSG were eliminated in the last 16 by eventual winners Real Madrid last season, a defeat he believes was influenced by a controversial refereeing decision. He argued that Karim Benzema fouled goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the build-up to Madrid’s first goal in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Despite the bitter exit, the 50-year-old said he holds no grudges: 'They have always treated me well. I will always be grateful.' He also dismissed suggestions that Kylian Mbappe played a role in his dismissal, insisting it was the president’s decision to pursue a new project.
