Paris - Arab Today
Paris Saint-Germain have parted company with their manager Laurent Blanc by "common accord" after three years, the club confirmed on Monday.
The French champions said the negotiations were held "in a respectful atmosphere" and they reached an agreement that "preserves the interests of both parties." "As the club decides to head in a new direction for the management of the first team, it wishes to thank Laurent Blanc and expresses its gratitude for the work accomplished over the last three years by Laurent and his staff.
Blanc won three consecutive league titles with the French capital club and led them to back-to-back domestic trebles by winning Ligue 1, the French Cup and the League Cup.
The 50-year-old French tactician failed, however, to lead PSG beyond the quarter-final stage in the Champions League in three attempts during his three-year reign. It was the fourth time in row the French champions exited the competition at that stage.
Earlier this month, PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi considered the club's season a "failure" despite success at the national level. "We didn't reach our European goal, so it's a bad season. I've been here five years, and it's the first time that we have this feeling of failure," he said in an interview with Le Parisien early June.
In a statement published on the club's website, Al-Khelaifi thanked Blanc for his service over the past few years but acknowledged the club is embarking on "a new chapter in the development of the club.
Former Sevilla coach Unai Emery will reportedly take over at the Parc des Prices. He led the Andalusian club to three successive Europa League titles.
Source: QNA