Monday, 7th October, 2013
Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has revealed that he was keen for Jose Mourinho to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the Parc des Princes.
Ancelotti left PSG this summer to become Mourinho's successor at Real Madrid, leaving the French champions searching for a new coach.
A number of contenders were under consideration, including Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, who has confirmed having a general talk about the vacancy.
But Leonardo, who served as PSG sporting director until last month before standing down due to a season-long pitch-side suspension imposed by the Ligue 1 authorities, admits Mourinho was his first choice.
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"I wanted Jose Mourinho", the Brazilian told JDD.
"But he was almost committed to Chelsea.
"Later we looked for other solutions, but my suspension complicated things.
"It was difficult to ask someone to come when I myself was about to depart."
And Leonardo rebuffed claims that Laurent Blanc, who was eventually appointed, was only approached after a whole host of coaches said no to the job.
"We did not ring 10,000 coaches.
"And, contrary to what has been said, Laurent Blanc was not the tenth choice. He was a free agent and he was part of our shortlist."
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