Thomas Tuchel at war with PSG’s Antero Henrique as pressure grows on French champions’ sporting director

Having left Borussia Dortmund after 12 months of acrimony, Thomas Tuchel is now already at war with Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director, Antero Henrique.

The German coach suffered his first defeat as PSG boss in Tuesday night’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool, Roberto Firmino’s injury-time winner handing the Reds a 3-2 win.

During that game it was noticeable that Marquinhos, nominally a centre-half, operated at the base of the French club’s three-man midfield.

For a side who have splashed hundreds of millions in recent years via its Qatari-backed owners – notably on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – Les Parisiens are rather light in that particular area, particularly amid Marco Verratti’s injury-enforced absence.

Those marquee names have meant there is less wriggle room amid UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, although they did still splurge £37million on Schalke defender Thilo Kehrer in August.

On the face of it, Kehrer looks likely to have been a signing pushed for by Tuchel. Likewise, Eric Maxim-Choupo Moting.

But with Thiago Motta having retired during the summer, what Tuchel desperately needed was another midfielder; simply, the veteran Italian hasn’t been replaced.

According to reports in France, that has led to consternation among the squad and its coach, with much of the ire being directed towards Henrique.

Speaking after the loss to Liverpool in midweek, captain Thiago Silva was asked what he made of a midfield set up that saw Marquinhos, Adrien Rabiot and Angel Di Maria all operating in the centre of the park – but not in their preferred roles.

Silva’s pointed reply said: “We must ask Antero [Henrique]. I do not want to answer this question.”

Now Le Parisien claims that Tuchel and Henrique’s relationship has already reached its end, that the pair don’t even speak. It’s something Tuchel already has experience with from his time at Dortmund, when he fell out with Sven Mislintat.

Intriguingly, Tuchel wasn’t Henrique’s pick to replace Unai Emery. Instead, he wanted Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim. However, Tuchel was chosen by the Emir of Qatar himself before impressing Nasser Al-Khelaifi and being hired to lead the club’s Champions League bid.

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