Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly determined to have a new manager in the dugout by the end of next week.
Mauricio Pochettino's tenure at the Parc des Princes is expected to come to an end in the coming days, in spite of the Argentine leading PSG to the Ligue 1 title with four games to spare last term.
Pochettino has also won the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions during his time in Paris, but his side have disappointed in the Champions League.
PSG memorably fell to a catastrophic 3-1 last-16 second-leg defeat at Real Madrid to bow out of Europe earlier this season, and Pochettino's sacking will likely be made official soon.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was rumoured to be the top candidate to take over at the Parc des Princes, and reports had gone as far to claim that a deal had already been agreed with the Frenchman.
© Reuters
However, Zidane's advisor emphatically denied that an agreement was in place, telling L'Equipe: "All of these rumours which are going around are unfounded.
"To this day, I am the only person who is authorised to represent and advise Zinedine Zidane. Neither Zinedine Zidane nor myself have been directly contacted by the owner of PSG.
"I also highly doubt that his majesty the Emir of Qatar, Cheikh Tamin Ben Hamad Al Thani, would go through social media or media in order to manager his business and take crucial decisions with regard to PSG's future. I'm not even sure if he's really interested in Zidane arriving."
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, PSG are still hopeful of wrapping up a deal for their new head coach next week, and Nice's Christophe Galtier is now the prime target.
Galtier helped Lille end PSG's perennial reign of Ligue 1 dominance in 2020-21 before steering Nice back into Europe last term, but his relationship with the Aiglons board has allegedly soured.
© Reuters
Nice director of football Julien Fournier recently opened the door for PSG to try to acquire Galtier, telling L'Equipe: "If Paris-Saint-Germain want Christophe Galtier, they mustn't wait too long, otherwise it will be more complicated.
"He's under contract, that's the reality. So he's more likely to be at Nice than not to be. It's very basic but it's very true. After that, if Paris-Saint-Germain comes in for him... it's a decision that I obviously won't take alone.
"When this type of club comes to get one of your players or your coach, it's hard to say 'no'... Each passing day makes PSG's task more difficult, because we have to move forward with next season. If they want him, they must not delay."
Galtier worked with PSG's new football advisor Luis Campos during Lille's title-winning 2020-21 season, and PSG are now said to be optimistic about their chances of hiring the 55-year-old.
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has also been linked with the soon-to-be vacant role at PSG, but Galtier is currently the capital side's priority target.
