PSG have NEVER contacted Zinedine Zidane about replacing Mauricio Pochettino, insists Leonardo

Paris Saint-Germain have never considered replacing boss Mauricio Pochettino with Zinedine Zidane or any other manager, according to sporting director Leonardo.

Pochettino – along with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag – is among the top contenders to replace Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United this summer, while reports in Spain claim the Argentine is being eyed by Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement.

A leading journalist in France meanwhile claimed in January that ex-Real boss Zidane will succeed Pochettino as coach at the Parc des Princes in the summer, with AS claiming the latter has an uneasy relationship with Leonardo.

Reports in January claimed Zinedine Zidane (above) would replace Pochettino in the summer

But speaking to L’Equipe, the Brazilian dismissed all suggestions that the 1998 France World Cup winner could replace the former Spurs boss, as well as rejecting claims he does not see eye to eye with Pochettino.

‘Today he has one year left on his contract (June 2023). Honestly, we never thought about changing coaches. Really,’ Leonardo said.

‘We never got in touch with Zidane or anyone else. Before coming here, Pochettino was among the top five coaches and still is. You can see the progression, although a lot has happened.

‘I always see him more involved because, over time, you know the context better. Is Pochettino happy in Paris? Yes. I think he may have had moments of doubt, but he never asked to leave. 

But sporting director Leonardo (centre) insists that isn’t the case and he has a good relationship with Pochettino

Pochettino and Ajax boss Erik ten Hag (above) are top contenders for the Man United job

‘He may have had difficult periods, in February or March he had Covid. Then, during the summer, there were rumours of his departure. 

‘He says no club asked him and no one called us. I have no problem with Pochettino. We are very clear, we talk about everything.’

Sportsmail understands that Real, along with Tottenham, failed in an attempt to lure Pochettino away from PSG last summer because the French club were unwilling to let the Argentine leave.  

And while Man United remain interested in Pochettino, ten Hag is also in the picture at Old Trafford and Sportsmail understands he is studying English in a bid to ensure he has a fluent grasp of the language ahead of a possible move to the Premier League this summer. 

Ajax are understood to be aware of Ten Hag’s intention to leave the club at the end of the season following recent internal talks.