PSG’s next manager hunt made difficult by Wenger craving

Although still not confirmed for definite, it seems only a matter of time before Paris Saint Germain release Carlo Ancelotti from his managerial contract so that he can take over at Real Madrid.

It is no real secret that Arsene Wenger is the clear preferred appointment of the French champions, but there seems little hope that he will depart Arsenal until next summer at the earliest when his current contract runs out.

This presents a problem in itself, as they will be effectively appointing an interim manager to take over for a season.

Sporting director Leonardo would be the logical short-term replacement, but unless an appeal is successful, he will have to serve a nine-month ban from all official duties for being found guilty of pushing a referee.

And it is two Premier League managers that are also being linked with the soon-to-be available PSG hotseat, following on from the likes of Guus Hiddink and Walter Mazzarri previously in recent weeks.

Tottenham’s Andre Villas-Boas has been linked and whether through his choosing or not, a season has proved his general staying time in his managerial posts.

However, it would look a foolish move to give up on a decent Tottenham project for a short stay in Paris, even if there is hope that it could materialise into something far longer if Wenger opts to stay at Arsenal.

Furthermore, there are some suggestions that AVB has already turned down the opportunity, which has moved PSG onto targeting Michael Laudrup.

But Laudrup only signed a contract extension in March to remain in Wales until 2015 and he has frequently indicated in recent months that his intention is to remain at Swansea.

The big dilemma for both AVB and Laudrup is that a move to PSG would pretty much guarantee a serious title challenge, alongside the opportunity to manage in the Champions League.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.