PSG Eyes a New Era with Zidane and Campos in Key Roles
Reports have circulated that Paris Saint-Germain has selected Zinedine Zidane as its next manager, with the former Real Madrid coach expected to make a formal announcement this Friday. Simultaneously, PSG announced the recruitment of Portuguese executive Luis Campos as a football advisor for the men’s squad—a role described as more authoritative than a traditional sporting director and one that carries a high level of exclusivity. French media indicate that the 57-year-old Campos will continue advising Celta as a foreign consultant, a commitment he had already made prior to joining PSG.
“Luis Campos will be responsible for the organisation, recruitment and performance of the Paris Saint-Germain men’s professional team,” PSG stated. The announcement also hints that Campos’s arrival could signal the departure of Leonardo, the club’s sports director since 2019, though the note did not explicitly say so. The move underscores PSG’s intent to reorganize its management structure as it pursues top-tier European success. (Citation: French media and official club communications)
PSG Espanol echoed the development, noting on social media that Campos would assume his role as football advisor from the day of the announcement, highlighting the confidence placed in him by the club. (Citation: Official club social post)
As a result, Campos will have a clearly defined remit at PSG, concentrating on the professional men’s squad while other areas, such as the training centre, fall outside his direct purview. (Citation: Club statement)
“I see PSG as the most ambitious and exciting club in world football,” Campos reportedly said in a statement, reflecting his belief in the project and its potential to attract global talent. (Citation: Club press materials)
Under the leadership of Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG welcomed Campos’s modern and innovative approach, noting that his track record includes nurturing players who rose to prominence on the world stage. Campos is credited with identifying and developing players who later reached the upper echelons of football. (Citation: Club communications)
Campos’s reputation for spotting talent extends to names such as Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, James Rodríguez, and Pepe, among others. His experience spans multiple European clubs, including Monaco, where he helped assemble a league-winning team in 2017, and Lille, where notable success followed in 2021. He is known for his close connections with Kylian Mbappé and his family, whom he reportedly met several years earlier in Monaco. (Citation: Career highlights and public records)
In addition to his advisory roles, Campos has served as a sports director and analyst for other European clubs, including Real Madrid and Porto, and has long collaborated with José Mourinho since 2005 in various capacities, shaping his perspective on talent development and squad strategy. (Citation: Professional history)
The French press has speculated about Zidane’s future at PSG, particularly whether he will assume managerial duties previously held by Mauricio Pochettino, whose contract extends for another year. These discussions come as PSG aims to consolidate leadership while pursuing domestic and continental glory. (Citation: Media coverage)
Campos’s close relationship with Kylian Mbappé and Mbappé’s family is often noted as a catalyst for his influence at the club.
Overall, the announcement signals PSG’s intent to blend a bold leadership vision with Campos’s hands-on approach to recruitment and performance optimization. The combination of Zidane’s leading reputation and Campos’s talent-spotting prowess could redefine the club’s trajectory in the coming seasons, both in Ligue 1 and in European competition. (Citation: Club statements and media analysis)