Paris Saint-Germain have announced that Laurent Blanc has left the club by mutual consent. Blanc was set to be sacked and replaced by Unai Emery,
the former Sevilla manager who won three successive Europa League
titles in Spain, and PSG have now confirmed the departure of their head
coach.
Blanc guided PSG to back-to-back domestic trebles in the
last two seasons, but quarter-final exits in the Champions League in
each of his three seasons in charge have cost him dearly.
A
statement on the club’s official website reads: “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.”
CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi has placed on record his
gratitude to Blanc, but admits he is looking forward to the “new
chapter” of the club’s history.
He said: “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.”