MANCHESTER, England : Mauricio Pochettino expressed his happiness Tuesday at being coach of Paris Saint-Germain amid speculation he could become the next Manchester United manager.
Pochettino said he was aware of what he called “rumors” — “I am not a child,” he said, “I understand what is going on" — but was focused on working at PSG and stressed he still had more than a year and a half left on his contract at the French club.
“I am so happy in Paris St Germain and I am so focused. I was a player in Paris St. Germain, I love the club, I love the fans. It is a fantastic time to be at the club," Pochettino said. “My contract is to 2023, this season and one more. I don’t say nothing different. I am really happy at Paris St. Germain, that is a fact.”
United is looking to hire an interim manager until the end of the season, then make a permanent appointment ahead of next season, following the firing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.
“We cannot talk about that for my respect for Paris St. Germain and my respect for another club," Pochettino said. “It is not my business, not my problem.”
The Argentine coach, who only joined PSG in January, was speaking at a news conference ahead the team's match at Manchester City in the Champions League. Both teams are looking for a win to qualify for the last 16.
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti said the reports linking Pochettino with United were not a distraction for the players.
“Since I started playing football, I have always heard rumors, we are used to rumors," Verratti said. “We have to focus on playing a good game tomorrow. We have trained well.
“It is all about tomorrow, that is our only concern. We are not thinking about any rumors from the outside whatsoever.”