Paris Saint-Germain could axe boss Unai Emery before January.
PSG’s sporting director Antero Henrique has made contingency plans amid rising tension between Spaniard Emery and his superstar squad, according to Yahoo Sports.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, Manchester United chief Jose Mourinho and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte have all been linked with the Qatar-owned big spenders.
And Emery has long been tipped for the sack – although until now it was thought he would survive until the summer.
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He romped to the Ligue 1 title by 31 points two seasons ago before problems surfaced.
Barcelona’s 6-5 aggregate success over PSG in the Champions League last-16 in February last term after they lost the first leg 4-0 sparked serious murmurs in Paris and Qatar.
Then Monaco compounded PSG’S pain by beating Emery’s winning the French title
Neymar’s world-record £198m arrival from Barcelona in the summer transfer window thrust an even bigger spotlight on Emery and the most expensive squad on the planet.
And, although PSG are unbeaten with a four-point Ligue 1 lead over Monaco, talk of difficult relations off the field have increased.
Brazil frontman Neymar was in tears this weekend when he denied – but failed to shake off – rumours he is unhappy in the French capital.
But that press conference must have been uncomfortable viewing for Emery as he struggles to build a team spirit to match the depth of the club’s budget.
Henrique, meanwhile, worked alongside Mourinho and his Old Trafford No2 Rui Fara when they took Porto to back-to-back Portuguese titles, the UEFA Cup and a Champions League between 2002 and 2004.
And it is thought Henrique has made it clear he would be interested in luring the duo to Paris.
EX-PSG defender Pochettino is much admired, too, for the way he has transformed Spurs into genuine Premier League title contenders while also adding unity and bringing on youngsters.
PSG also know Conte’s future is still uncertain, especially after his main Blues’ ally, sporting director Michael Emenalo, resigned last week.
Emery, though, signed a contract until 2021 last May on wages of around £5.5million a year, so PSG would surely have to pay him millions in compensation if they forced him out.
