Nice Is Targeting Mauricio Pochettino for Head Coach Position

Remi Walter with Nice in 2016
Remi Walter with Nice in 2016. Photo by Nsjsport/Shutterstock (6899144an)

Despite investing significant funds into their squad this summer, OGC Nice is struggling in the Ligue 1 so far in 2022-23. As a result, the team is expected to move on from head coach Lucien Favre and is reportedly targeting former PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement.

According to reports, Nice brass is set to meet Pochettino soon and try to sell him on the project. The club is ready to meet his financial demands, but it is unclear whether that will be enough. Pochettino is believed to be waiting for a call from a bigger club and is reluctant to work in France again.

Pochettino won the domestic title and French Cup with Paris Saint-Germain last season, though his failure to deliver the UEFA Champions League ended up costing him the job. The 50-year-old was linked with Manchester United earlier this summer, but the Premier League side opted to hire Erik Ten Hag instead.

Nice hired Lucien Favre in June to replace Christophe Galtier, who joined PSG as Pochettino’s replacement. Favre was considered a foolproof hire considering he already coached the club between 2016 and 2018 and led them to the UEFA Champions League spot. However, things are far from successful in his second stint.

Under Favre, Nice opened the new Ligue 1 campaign with only two wins from eight matches and are currently sitting at no. 13 on the standings. They are also performing below expectations in Europa Conference League, where they have two draws in a favorable group.

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