Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a Paris Saint-Germain legend. The Swede, who scored 156 goals for the capital club, was a star on the pitch and a master of communication off it. He did, though, make one mistake: Zlatan's claim that 'PSG were born when the Qataris arrived', and the derogatory comments he made with regards the club's history, or lack of, did not sit well with supporters.

Legends

Created in 1970, PSG are admittedly young. However, they've packed more into their 50 years of life than most clubs manage in a century. League titles, cups aplenty, European crowns, bitter rivalries and off-pitch scandals - Les Rouge et Bleu are a tale of endless triumphs and tragedies. They simply don't do 'normal'. You could argue that the PSG of the early years stirred even more passions than the modern-day winning machine. It is no coincidence that Luis Fernandez and Safet Susic - heroes of the club's inaugural title win in 1986 - Brazilian maestro Rai (1993-1998) and Portuguese striker Pedro Pauleta (2003-2008) are among the most cherished names in the club's Hall of Fame.

For PSG fans, Just Fontaine's promotion team, Gérard Houllier's title-winners, the thrilling European nights at the Parc des Princes of the 1990s, and the combustible clashes with OM are such an integral part of this club's identity. That is why the appointment of Pochettino is generating so much excitement: this is not just an exceptional manager, this is a former club captain, a man who knows about PSG's past and who knows why the club is so special to so many people. The way Pochettino's eyes lit up when he was asked about his memories of playing at the Parc des Princes during his first interview as PSG manager last weekend was a telling sign of his deeper understanding. 

Authenticity

Since the Qatari takeover, PSG have attracted world-class talent to Ligue 1. They have produced some scintillating football and won myriad trophies. But it has always felt like something was missing. It has felt nouveau riche or even, dare we say it, a little bit fake. Pochettino brings authenticity. He is a throwback to a time when Jay-Jay Okocha and Ronaldinho dazzled with their outrageous skills, when the Parc des Princes was a sea of noise and colour, swaying to the rhythm of Luis Fernandez's questionable touchline dancing.

Of course, appointing a former player doesn't guarantee success. But there is a real feeling in the French capital that, with 'Poch' teaming up alongside another ex-PSG star in the form of sporting director Leonardo, some glorious, happy times are around the corner. The Argentine is widely acknowledged to be one of the best training ground technicians in the game, and if he can get his PSG men eating out of his hands in the same way his Tottenham players did, the results will be explosive.

That won't be an easy task. Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel both won trophies, yet neither succeeded in moulding a coherent, united force capable of conquering Europe. Too often in recent years, PSG's reliance on individual brilliance has cost them on the biggest stage of all. Pochettino's challenge is to get Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, in particular, operating as part of a team unit. That means understanding what their roles are when the team doesn't have possession, staying focused and disciplined at all times, and rolling up their sleeves and fighting for the collective cause.

Hard work ahead

Training sessions will be extremely intense. The many hours spent watching video analysis will remind some Paris players of the Emery years. Yet if they know what is best for them, PSG's stars will work their socks off and listen to the coach carefully. Pochettino may not yet have a large trophy cabinet, but he does have a history of making the players he works with better. The potential in this PSG squad is immense, and a top trainer benefitting from the right kind of support should thrive. With Pochettino back, the heart and soul of Paris Saint-Germain could well be set to return as well.