Mauricio Pochettino arrives in Paris to conclude deal to take over as PSG boss

Mauricio Pochettino has been spotted at the training ground of Paris Saint-Germain as he closes in on being appointed as Thomas Tuchel's successor.

The former Tottenham boss has been out of work for 14 months since his sacking in north London, and he will be in charge next week for PSG's game against Saint-Etienne.

He was spotted at PSG's Camp des Loges training ground on Saturday afternoon where he was given a tour of facilities by sporting director Leonardo.

Pochettino spent Christmas with his wife and two sons, posting a rare family photo to his new Instagram account on New Year's Day, but he is now ready to throw himself back into the world of football.

The 48-year-old Argentine will replace Tuchel, who was sacked on Christmas Eve - just hours after securing a 4-0 win over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 - and four months on from guiding his side to the Champions League final.

Pochettino has a positive recent history of European success having steered Tottenham to the 2018 Champions League final, and the PSG hierarchy will be hoping he can go one better in Paris to lift the trophy.

Although they have dominated domestically in recent years, a European title still alludes PSG and Tuchel's failure to turn the tide was inevitably his downfall.

Pochettino met up with PSG chiefs on Christmas Eve and is now putting together the finishing touches on his deal to return to Paris, 18 years after he took to the field for them as a player.

The Argentine manager played for the Ligue 1 giants between 2001 and 2003 before moving to fellow French side Bordeaux.

Pochettino previously admitted back in 2016 that it would be his 'dream' to take over in the French capital.

He previously told RMC Sport: 'One day I would like to train PSG. It's part of my dreams. It's a club that I follow a lot. I try to see all the matches. Especially in the Champions League.

'I spoke with Jean-Louis Gasset (assistant to then manager Laurent Blanc) several times. Come back to Paris one day, why not?'

Pochettino has been out of work for 14 months since being replaced by Jose Mourinho at White Hart Lane, and was previously considered as future options for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Instead, he is now in Paris to conclude a deal to take over as PSG boss, with the announcement set to be made in the coming hours.