Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo returned to the club in the same position replacing Antero Henrique, the French champions announced yesterday. The former PSG and AC Milan midfielder left the Parisian outfit in 2013 after resigning amid a scandal in which he pushed a referee in a Ligue 1 match.
He worked for Milan in the same capacity last season but stepped down due to a disagreement with the side’s board. “This club has been so important to me in my football career and in my life. I had really emotional moments here both as a player in the late 90s and more recently as sporting director,” the 1994 World Cup winner said in a statement. “I come back to Paris full of energy to rejoin this club that I deeply respect,” he added.
The Brazilian is back at a club which won the French title last year but failed to reach further than the last 16 of the Champions League and saw the world’s most expensive Neymar suspended for hitting a fan after defeat in the French Cup final.
“His return, with his enthusiasm and talent, will bring the club into a new ambitious cycle and I am sure that this reunion will bring happiness to the Parc des Princes, which has always kept ‘Leo’ in its heart,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said.
Henrique, 51, left his role by mutual consent earlier in the day having seen his relationship with head coach Thomas Tuchel become strained. He joined PSG in 2017 and oversaw the signings of forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe but had been left disappointed by recent transfer windows.
PSG to kick off Ligue 1
title defence against Nimes
Paris Saint-Germain will start their bid for a third successive Ligue 1 title with a home match against Nimes, after next season’s fixtures were announced yesterday. Thomas Tuchel’s side will begin their league campaign at the Parc des Princes on the weekend of August 10-11, with Monaco facing Lyon in the pick of the opening round of matches.
PSG, who will be hoping to finally reach a maiden Champions League final next term, host bitter rivals Marseille on the weekend of October 26-27.
French teenager Diaby joins Bayer Leverkusen from PSG
Teenage winger Moussa Diaby has joined German outfit Bayer Leverkusen from PSG, the two clubs announced. The 19-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga side, who finished fourth last season to qualify for the Champions League.
PSG, trying to balance the books to avoid Financial Fair-Play sanctions from UEFA, were paid a reported fee of 15mn euros ($16.82mn) for the French youth international. “I’m very curious about Germany, the special kind of football there, the great stadiums, and of course it’s also great to be playing with Bayer04 in the Champions League,” said Diaby. The Frenchman made 34 appearances in all competitions for PSG last season, scoring four goals.
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