PSG to establish new professional team for youth development

PSG is gearing up for some exciting changes next season as they plan to reintroduce their reserve team after a five-year absence. Zoumana Camara, the current U19 coach, is expected to take the helm.

Five years ago, PSG's sporting director, Antero Henrique, made the controversial decision to disband the reserve team, a move that didn't sit well with many. Despite having one of France's top youth academies, the leap from the U19 squad to the senior team proved to be too steep for many budding talents.

In response to the criticism, the club's youth academy management has decided to bring back a reserve team, filling the gap between the U19 and senior teams.

According to Le Parisien, this new team will compete in either the U23 challenge or the reserve challenge, with the exact name yet to be determined.

The competition, organized by the French Football Federation (FFF) and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), is set to kick off in the 2024-2025 season and will welcome Category 1 or elite clubs from Ligue 1 or Ligue 2.

PSG to establish new professional team for youth development

For PSG, this move represents an opportunity to provide their top talents with more competitive match experience than what traditional national leagues offer.

The ultimate goal remains unchanged: to nurture and develop players for the first team. To build the reserve team, PSG will primarily rely on players under the age of 21, with many expected to come from the U19 squad.

Le Parisien reports that the scouting department, led by Pierre Reynaud, is actively working on recruiting 6 to 8 players to ensure a strong squad in the inaugural season.

As for the coaching position, Zoumana Camara will likely continue in his role, provided he extends his contract, which is set to expire in June.

Camara, a former PSG defender, has expressed interest in coaching at the professional level and is expected to carefully consider his options before making a decision. Additionally, Thomas Leyssales, the current U17 coach, is rumored to be in line to take over the U19 squad, according to Le Parisien.