PSG 2-3 Clermont: Galtier confirms he will "have a meeting with PSG management"

PSG hosted the lowest-budget in the league, Clermont, at the Parc des Princes for the final Ligue 1 game of the season and they could do nothing to spot the mid-tier side surrendering a two-goal lead to end up losers of a 2-3 game in the season finale.

Although Paris Saint-Germain had already clinched their 11th Ligue 1 title a week ago when they draw a game against Strasbourg (1-1) on the road, this loss was embarrasing and shaped a final standings table in which PSG (85 points) only won the league by one point over second-place Lens (84 points).

Truth be told, it was a good summary of what PSG has been doing through the second half of a season to forget. They started strong, and slowly but surely faded away to the point of conceding three goals in a span of just 40 minutes after taking a 2-0 lead not even halfway through the first half.

The coach of PSG, Christophe Galtier, addressed the media in his post-game press conference
after a loss that will most probably mark the last time he managed a club based in Paris on the event of his 50th game at the helm of the Parisian organization.

There were whistles when your name was announced this evening at the Parc des Princes, how did you experience it?

"It's never fun, but that's how it is, it's part of coaching. But my personal case is not the most important. The goal was to be champions, even if we ended on a bad note. On this evening, which was also an evening of important support for Sergio, his loved ones, his wife, and his mother, we would obviously have preferred to end with a victory. But the supporters were exemplary, the club did things well for Sergio. I hope that this support will bring positive things." 

"As for my case, it remains my case. I can understand the whistles. I accept them, I have nothing else to do but accept them because in particular, the second part of the season was very difficult. All of this is also the result of a very, very harsh media court that I was able to discover, by becoming the coach of PSG. Sometimes, lightning fell on me, but I finish this season with a lot of pride. After that season, I am now another man and another coach."

There are also whistles for Messi... do you feel like you've been through some surreal things this season?

"Yes. Concerning Leo, I find that the whistles were very harsh. Like the season, there have been good periods, and less good periods. Maybe in a few weeks, I will find the origin of Leo's treatment, because he has always been well-behaved. He is the greatest player in the history of football. He has impressive statistics, in a season where he played a lot. Leo had a great season. I dare to hope that people will analyze it coldly, with a little more lucidity."

Do you have any updates about your future?

"On Saturday, when I woke up very early, my phone vibrated a lot. I read the newspapers. I did not have an exchange with my president, but I had some with Luis Campos. I have not been told, confirmed, or denied anything about my future. I know I'm going to have a meeting with my management to take stock of this season, then we'll see what direction my sporting direction will take."

If you had to change something this season, what would you change?

"I reserve my analyses for my management, my president--any experience is enriching. Coaching is a tough job. When I arrived in Paris, someone told me: 'The higher you are, the stronger the blows.' It is like that but it is also accepting the function. It is a very enriching experience. In a few days, in one or two weeks, I will also do an analysis: did I do everything right? No, I didn't do everything right. But I also did good things."

You left the podium quickly after the title, and you notably sent a kiss to the stands. What did that mean?

"I did the same thing two years ago when I won the title at Lille. I think when the trophy is awarded, it belongs to the players. Above all, it's about modesty, to let the players celebrate together, and sing together. The kiss was for my wife who was here in the stands and supported me throughout the season. Once again, these moments of joy belong to the players. When we were champions in Strasbourg, in the locker room, I was surely different."

Do you have any regrets about this season?

"Post-World Cup management. Obviously, there are things to analyze because it is behind this that we had a lot of problems, staff, injuries, very important. It is on this that we will have to work and surely progress so as not to have an air pocket at a very important moment in the life of the club."