Christopher Galtier has confirmed he wants Neymar to stay after being confirmed as the new Paris Saint-Germain boss.
The Brazil superstar has been linked with a blockbuster transfer to Chelsea after reports suggested the Ligue 1 champions were open to a sale. Neymar arrived in a world-record deal from Barcelona in 2017, but has seen his influence wane in recent seasons following the emergence of Kylian Mbappe.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi gave an uncertain response when asked about Neymar's future last month, and these comments were said to have led the forward to consider his options. However, it would appear that the 30-year-old's new manager is keen on keeping the star in the French capital.
Mauricio Pochettino's long-awaited departure was finally confirmed on Tuesday, after the former Tottenham boss endured a difficult 18-month spell in charge. The 50-year-old was left in limbo for weeks while the terms of his exit were thrashed out ahead of the impending appointment of Galtier.
Galtier was unveiled as the new PSG head coach in a press conference, and asked a host of questions about his ambitions and his approach to the role. The former Nice boss was then quizzed upon Neymar's future, and he outlined his hope that the world-record signing would stay at the club.
Galtier told French outlet RMC Sport: "Which coach would not like to have a player like him in his team? I have a very precise idea of what I will expect from Neymar. I will meet him, listen, but I want him to stay with us."
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Pochettino's days with PSG appeared numbered for a long time following the disappointing Champions League second-round exit to eventual winners Real Madrid. However, the outgoing head coach did guide his side to the Ligue 1 title by a margin of 15 points, while also reaching the semi-final stage in Europe in his first full season in charge.
Galtier will now assume the responsibility of attempting to bring out the best of PSG's famous front three, with Mbappe signing a new contract having been tipped to join Real as a free agent. The new PSG boss has stressed the importance of not placing too much pressure on the shoulders of the 23-year-old.
He said: "As a French coach, I was happy that Kylian stayed at PSG. It's good for PSG, our championship. I didn't talk to him, like with any of the players.
"We know what he brings, we will have to not give him all the responsibility and the weight of the result. He is a PSG player and all these great individuals with whom I am going to be with later are at the service of the collective."
Galtier was confirmed as Pochettino's successor at PSG despite links with former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane once again emerging. The France legend has repeatedly been tipped to take the role, but Al-Khelaifi insists no negotiations were held with the World Cup winner.
The PSG president said: "We never spoke with Zidane. With all the respect I have for him, we never spoke with him. Today Christophe is here and we are very happy."
