Paris Saint-Germain director Leonardo has backed Mauricio Pochettino to remain in charge until the end of the season despite increasing pressure on the Argentine.
Pochettino is facing fresh questions over his future at the French club after his side crashed out of the Champions League in spectacular fashion. Having held a 2-0 lead over Real Madrid on aggregate with 30 minutes of the tie to go, a Karim Benzema hat-trick dumped PSG out at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The visitors had looked set to book their place in the quarter-finals after Kylian Mbappe’s goal doubled their advantage in the tie. Just after the hour mark, though, Benzema struck his first goal to give Real some hope.
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With just 15 minutes to go, the France international pounced again to draw the Spanish giants level. Less than two minutes later, Benzema completed his hat-trick to send Real through, dumping PSG out of the competition.
The defeat for the French side sees the pressure increase on Pochettino amid his links to Manchester United. The Argentine is one of the frontrunners to become United's new permanent manager, alongside Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Another defeat in the Champions League will no doubt see calls for his sacking in Paris grow, amid reports his job could be in danger. But Leonardo has dismissed the rumours for the time being, insisting PSG won’t rush into a decision over Pochettino’s future.
“We lost control. We have to look for solutions,” Leonardo told RMC Sport.
“We made mistakes, we have to change things, but we don't have to review everything. It's difficult, but until half-time, we had an organized team.
“We really have to tell each other everything about what happened. But we must not throw everything away and put everything in the trash.
“We don't have to start all over again with each defeat . The objective is to win the Champions League, and until half-time of this match, we were fine. We must try to improve this team and keep the morale up to play in Ligue 1 and end the season well.
“We have to stay together. Pochettino is still in the draft this season. Now is not the time to think about that."
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