Laurent Blanc Reflects on PSG’s Title Success Amidst Criticism and Pressure
Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc guided the club to a second consecutive French Ligue 1 title last night, despite a 1-2 home defeat to Rennes. The victory secured PSG’s fourth league championship in its history, and although Blanc appeared thrilled with the achievement, he also took the opportunity to address the underlying pressures and criticisms he has faced throughout the season.
For Blanc, this is his first season as PSG’s head coach, and winning back-to-back titles in his inaugural year marks an impressive feat. However, the French tactician made it clear that the road to the championship was not as simple as some might think. In a candid interview following the match, Blanc expressed frustration over the perception that PSG’s dominance was inevitable, regardless of who was in charge.
“We talk without knowing,” Blanc said. “That’s what bothers me a little, but I think there’s a lot of jealousy. As my father said, it’s a nasty flaw. It always ends in malice.” His comments were likely aimed at the critical narratives surrounding his leadership, with some suggesting that PSG’s title win was due to their star-studded squad rather than any tactical prowess from the coach.
Blanc went on to defend his approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of delegation and his commitment to ensuring a well-rounded, successful team. “I work like all coaches do. I participate in training sessions, I do what everyone else does… Afterwards, it’s true that I delegate a lot, but a coach has to delegate because he has plenty of things to do other than on the pitch. And believe me, there are plenty of things to do… You have to be open-minded and not think that there is only one right method,” he explained.
The PSG manager also reflected on the notion that winning the league with a team of PSG’s caliber was almost expected. “At the start of the championship, everyone thought that Paris would be champions regardless of the coach. That may be true, but I’m not convinced. You have to win points, implement a playing philosophy, convince the players. The PSG coach isn’t just a guy who picks eleven names and tells them: ‘You’re going to win.’”
Blanc’s defense of his coaching methods extended to his thoughts on how PSG’s season has been evaluated. While the French champions are often under scrutiny due to their star players and financial resources, Blanc believes that critics have placed too much emphasis on PSG’s performance in the UEFA Champions League. “The season is a 10-month process. Are you going to focus on the last four matches or all the others? I already know the answer… The problem is that I have the impression that you are only evaluating PSG’s season in relation to the Champions League. If we are not in the semi-finals or the final, everything is to be thrown out… I know the rules, but I think it’s a shame to devalue the championship title…”
Blanc’s remarks shed light on the unique challenges he faces as PSG’s head coach, managing the expectations of both the media and fans. Despite this, the Frenchman remains adamant that the league title should not be overshadowed by their shortcomings in Europe.
As for Blanc’s future at the club, PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has publicly expressed confidence in the coach’s abilities, indicating that he is likely to stay on for the next season, at least for now.
With PSG continuing to dominate French football, Blanc’s next challenge will be to address the club’s ambitions in European competition while maintaining their domestic supremacy.
