Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino rules out ever managing Barcelona

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 February 2021

Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino claims that he could never take the Barcelona job due to his "connection" with the city.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has affirmed that it would be "impossible" for him to ever take the Barcelona job.

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss was tipped to replace Quique Setien in the summer of 2020, but Ronald Koeman instead took the reins in the dugout while Pochettino was still out of management.

The Argentine returned to the hotseat with PSG last month following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, and despite previous links with Barca, he has claimed that he could never manage there due to his "connection" to the city as former Espanyol boss.

Speaking to RMC Sport, the 48-year-old said: "I will never manage Barcelona. That is impossible. I have this idea of life, a connection with a part of that city, that makes that impossible. Just as Marseille is also impossible for me."

Pochettino recently witnessed his PSG side lose for the first time since he took charge as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Lorient at the weekend.

The reigning champions are currently three points adrift of leaders Lille in one of the most open Ligue 1 title races in recent history.