PARIS: Departing coach Unai Emery has hailed his Paris Saint-Germain successor Thomas Tuchel and believes the German is deserving of a chance to manage the Ligue 1 giants.
Emery will take charge of PSG for the final time on Saturday as they bring the curtain down on another hugely successful domestic season at Parc des Princes.
The Spaniard led PSG to the French treble but despite spending massively failed to achieve the club’s main objective – success in the Champions League – to be replaced by Tuchel, the former boss of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.
?️ PSG coach @UnaiEmery_ held his final pre-match press conference earlier today to preview tomorrow's season finale at Caen. Highlights coming up… #SMCPSG pic.twitter.com/ntwTQJL7tr
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 18, 2018
In a brief news conference ahead of the final-day clash in the French Liga 1 Emery said: “Tuchel is a great coach. He will find here many qualities in a club that wants to keep growing. He deserves this opportunity.”
Even though it will be his swansong on Saturday, Emery is not planning a high-profile goodbye having received a send-off in Paris on Saturday following the defeat to Rennes.
He added: “There were already a lot of emotions last week with the Coupe de France [final win against Les Herbiers], and the last game at the Parc. That’s why I’m smiling.
Le @PSG_inside est heureux d’annoncer l’arrivée de Thomas Tuchel au poste d’entraîneur de l’équipe professionnelle !
Le technicien allemand a signé un contrat de deux ans avec le club champion de France ??
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) May 14, 2018
“I’m happy with what I’ve been through here. I’ll go on my way.
“I have benefited from every practice, every game and on Saturday I just want to have a good 90 minutes.”