Former FC Girondins de Bordeaux manager Gus Poyet sat down to explain to Get French Football News his views on his former club and the current landscape in Ligue 1. 

“It’s been strange to see PSG this year,” Poyet said, “Especially after last season’s achievements and winning the Champions League. They went into the FIFA Club World Cup final as favourites, but ended up losing against Chelsea. It’s a surprise to not see them flying at the top of the league and ten points clear of anyone else! But it’s great to see teams like Lens challenge them and bring some competition to Ligue 1.” 

He continued, “I don’t think many people expected Luis Enrique to stay at PSG too long, considering the unique relationship and input the club has with the owners and leadership, but he looks like he’s really enjoying his time in Paris. PSG used to be a team of superstars and big names, and now they’re a proper team. Of course, they still have some fantastic players, but they no longer have the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, or Lionel Messi.”

“That transition has been led by Enrique,” he explained, “And it would’ve been very difficult for him to convince the owners and board to take this approach. To win the Champions League last season, without the big names that the club previously wanted, was a fantastic achievement and long may it continue.” 

Gus Poyet on Mason Greenwood

Poyet had positive words for Olympique de Marseille’s controversial winger Mason Greenwood, who signed from Manchester United in 2024 in an effort to rejuvenate his career after he was frozen out from the English club. In 2022, the forward was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault. All charges have since been discontinued, with the player denying all allegations. 

Poyet said,  “He made a great decision in going abroad. His personal situation was very complicated, and the English media were a distraction. The move has been a great success so far, and he’s proven himself once again to be a very good player. He had a great relationship with Robert de Zerbi, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on under the new coach [Habib Beye], because some players adapt differently to changes in a coach or manager.”

He continued, “He has enough quality to return to the Premier League, but whether he’d want to go back is a different discussion altogether. His reception with the fans and the media may be unpredictable in England. To be considered elsewhere in Europe – perhaps Spain – he needs to finish this season strongly and put himself on their radar.” 

A return to Bordeaux on the cards?

Poyet’s former club, Bordeaux have been in dire straits following their relegation to the fourth tier of French football due to financial mismanagement. “Firstly, the situation at Bordeaux has been so sad to watch,” Poyet lamented, “When I was there, I had a great connection with the club and the fans. I even pushed to return to the club before they were first relegated and encountered the financial issues, but I couldn’t convince the owners or the sporting director! The vents that followed were a disaster, and they’ve hit rock bottom since then.” 

“Bordeaux need to be in the top flight of French football,” Poyet stated, “What impressed me the most while I was there was that in the dressing room, under every numbered shirt, was every notable player who has played for the club and worn that number. I was amazed by the calibre of names written next to each shirt – Zinedine Zidane is just one example. It made me realise how big the club was, and it was so impressive. I had never had that feeling with any other club, and I would love to go back one day.”