PSG boss Galtier out to match Di Matteo´s Champions League feat

Christophe Galtier chose the example of Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea to justify his belief that Paris Saint-Germain can win the Champions League while he pulls the strings.

The former Saint-Etienne, Lille and Nice boss has stepped up by joining a club who not only expect to win Ligue 1 but also harbour a strong desire to be crowned kings of European football.

That is the clear objective for Galtier, and he considers PSG to be handsomely placed to challenge in the 2022-23 season.

Chelsea went through a string of big-name coaches, including Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, before caretaker boss Di Matteo delivered the Champions League in the 2011-12 season.

Similarly, PSG have seen Ancelotti, Laurent Blanc, Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino fall short of the club’s ultimate target.

Now Galtier gets his chance, and he sees no reason why he should not be the man who succeeds where previous illustrious names failed.

“Do you know who won the first Champions League with Chelsea? Di Matteo,” Galtier said. “And would anyone have bet a centime on him?”

Galtier told L’Equipe: “I am very ambitious. I came to Paris to win. There are already three national titles: we have to win them. You have to break records. And in all modesty, I tell you: I came to Paris to win everything.”

The highlights of our friendly match  @QRM!
 (2-0) pic.twitter.com/Ze4Q35ZSva

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 15, 2022

PSG beat second-tier side Quevilly-Rouen 2-0 in their first game under Galtier on Friday, as Sergio Ramos converted a penalty won by Lionel Messi before academy player Djeidi Gassama sealed the win.

The Ligue 1 champions will fly out to Japan ahead of fixtures with Kawasaki Frontale, Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka.

Galtier will hope to last longer as PSG boss than Di Matteo managed with Chelsea. Appointed caretaker in March 2012, and subsequently handed the job permanently after FA Cup and Champions League triumphs, the former Blues midfielder was sacked in November of the same year after a string of disappointing results.