Despite suffering embarrassing exits from the Champions League and Coupe de France, Paris Saint-Germain could still scupper Manchester United 's attempts to appoint Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino is understood to be one of the frontrunners to take over as United's new long-term manager, who the club will name in the summer.
Tensions between the Argentine and PSG have been increasing for some time, with the Red Devils having long been admirers of his work.
That unhappiness from both parties has only increased over the past two months, with the runaway Ligue 1 leaders being knocked out of both the Coupe de France and Champions League at the last 16 stage. To make matters worse, they have also lost four of their last six matches, leading many to believe an off-pitch overhaul is coming this summer.
Part of that overhaul could be the departure of Pochettino to United as their new boss. But PSG chiefs could reportedly still yet ask the under-pressure manager to snub a move to Old Trafford as they look to regroup.
According to ESPN, the prospect of 'wholesale changes' at the Parc des Princes means that Pochettino is set to be forced to wait until the summer before learning his future. He still has another 18 months to run on his current contract, putting PSG in a position to turn down any approach from a rival club.
United are said to be 'reluctant' to pay the high compensation fee that would be required to prize him away. But PSG are adamant that they will wait until restructuring other areas of he club before making a decision around Pochettino.
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One area that looks almost certain to be changed is that of sporting director, with Leonardo coming under significant pressure amid PSG's disappointing campaign. The Brazilian returned for a second spell as PSG's sporting director in 2019, and oversaw what many believed to be a stunning summer transfer window.
Lionel Messi, Ginaluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi all arrived in the French capital. But all of them have struggled to settle since being signed, bringing increased attention to Leonardo's future.
Multiple reports have put his position under question, which ESPN report has 'raised the prospect' Pochettino could yet stay. If Leonardo is moved on, it is stated that the Ligue 1 giants could request that the Argentine remain in his post to oversee the transition.
PSG's squad is expected to take on a fresh look next term for Pochettino to potentially build, with Kylian Mbappe, Angel di Maria, Sergio Ramos and Mauro Icardi all edging towards an exit. Those departures means that Pochettino would be able to bring in a younger set of players which PSG will hope can finally deliver the Champions League trophy.
With PSG still considering standing in the way of an exit for Pochettino, it would appear to be a blow to his hopes of taking over at United. The Red Devils have begun the formal interview process and are seeking to announce their new boss as soon as possible, something Pochettino cannot provide with his PSG future up in the air.
