SHARE
COPY LINK

FOOTBALL

Zlatan’s future unclear if Paris coach departs

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Sunday that he doesn't know if he will stay with the French Ligue 1 champions next season if coach Carlo Ancelotti leaves at the end of the current campaign.

Zlatan's future unclear if Paris coach departs

“When they ask me what my future will be if Carlo leaves, I know nothing, it’s not (an) easy (situation),” Ibrahimovic, who joined PSG last July and has two years left on his contract, told French television station TF1 in an interview.

“I don’t want the coach to leave. For me he’s done a fantastic job. He’s the ideal man for the project because he has very good relationships with the group. I’ve had some big coaches but never one who’s had such a connection with his players. He is the key to the success,” said Zlatan, named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year last week.

“I’ve never had a coach like Carlo and for me it’s something new.”

“I’m used to iron discipline with Mourinho and Capello, which made me grow up, but Carlo’s style is a softer, more patient one. He makes players aware of their responsibilities, he makes them feel confident and I like that. When we do well it’s also his success, so I hope he doesn’t leave,” added the Swedish striker, who has plundered opposing defences for a league-best 29 goals this season.

“Who’s going to come, who’s going to take control of PSG?” mused Zlatan.

“We need a coach who’s not only going to manage a French team but an international one with world class players. It’s not easy for a manager and only a big one can come in (to take over).”

Ancelotti, who replaced Antoine Kombouare at Parc des Princes in December 2011, announced last weekend his intention to leave the French champions for Spanish giants Real Madrid, only revealing that it was a “personal choice.”

However, club president Nasser al-Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo have since said they are confident that the Italian will respect the final year of his deal.

PSG finish their season later on Sunday away to Lorient.

AFP/The Local/og

Follow The Local on Twitter

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

https://twitter.com/GravesenFumado/status/1764242481984491822

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

SHOW COMMENTS