Published on 02:59 AM, June 24, 2016

PSG sack Blanc

Paris Saint Germain have reportedly sacked manager Laurent Blacn after three years at the helm. Despite winning the French league every year while also capturing seven domestic titles, his lack of success in the Champions League was the reason behind his apparent sacking. Photo: The Guardian
Reuters, Paris

Coach Laurent Blanc parted ways with Paris St Germain, putting pen to paper on a 22-million-euro ($25 million) severance deal, French sports daily L'Equipe reported on Thursday.

Blanc's future at PSG appeared in jeopardy three weeks ago when club president Nasser al Khelaifi described the 2015-16 season as a failure because of the club's elimination from the Champions League by Manchester City.

PSG achieved their second successive domestic treble by winning Ligue 1, the French Cup and the League Cup, but Champions League progress stagnated as they lost in the quarter-finals for the fourth successive season.

Former France defender Blanc, a world champion with Les Bleus in 1998, coached the national team from 2010-12 and took over from Carlo Ancelotti at PSG in 2013.

He signed a two-year contract extension in February.

The contract was terminated on Wednesday, L'Equipe said, citing unnamed sources. However, Blanc's agent refuted claims that he had been given 22 million euros in the severance package.

Spanish and French media reported that Blanc would be replaced by Basque coach Unai Emery, who left Primera Liga club Sevilla on June 13.

PSG did not reply to a text message from Reuters seeking comment.

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