Laurent Blanc leaves Paris Saint-Germain by ‘common accord’

Laurent Blanc: Left PSG

Laurent Blanc: Left PSG

Paris Saint-Germain have announced that head coach Laurent Blanc has left the Ligue 1 club.

Blanc, 50, won three league titles and domestic trebles in the last two years as coach, having been appointed three years ago, but his failure to lead PSG beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League has seen the former Manchester United defender pay the price.

The former France international only signed a two-year contract extension in February but the Qatari-owned club confirmed his departure on Monday afternoon with Sevilla boss Unai Emery linked with the post.

A statement read: “In a respectful atmosphere, negotiations were completed on 27 June. An agreement, by common accord, preserves the interests of both parties. Assistant coach Jean-Louis Gasset and head fitness trainer Philippe Lambert, also leave the club as part of the agreement.

“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. During his three years at the club, Laurent Blanc won 11 trophies, including two national quadruples, and left a significant mark on the great history of Paris Saint-Germain.”

The PSG chief executive, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, added: “As we embark on a new chapter in the development of the club, I would like to thank Laurent Blanc for everything he has achieved over the last three years, both in terms of the playing style and results. I wish him the best for his future challenges.”