Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 6y

PSG's Thomas Meunier: 'Many things, such as the coach, will change'

Thomas Meunier has suggested Paris Saint-Germain's are aware that coach Unai Emery will not be in charge next season, while Angel Di Maria also alluded to significant changes over the summer.

Emery's contract runs out at the end of the current campaign and he missed the opportunity to earn an additional 12 months when his team crashed out of the Champions League in the round of 16 for the second consecutive year at the hands of Real Madrid 5-2 over two legs.

Speaking during a news conference while on international duty with Belgium, Meunier revealed that Emery's replacement may well be key to his Parc des Princes future after Dani Alves' arrival last summer saw him relegated to a substitute role.

"I am no longer 18," Meunier said when asked about his future. "I am 26. I am in clear possession of my ability. I need some clarity in my position at club level. I must also keep showing the things that I know how to do.

"PSG know my position. However, I am waiting, because many things, such as the coach, will change."

Meunier, who joined PSG from Club Brugge in 2016, was also optimistic about his role in the Ligue 1 leaders' push for glory in the league, the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France before the end of term.

"I might enjoy greater game time," Les Parisiens' No. 12 said. "If I do, I will have to make the most of it.

"I am more confident in myself than I was two years ago. I am looking towards the future without pressure. I feel that I have developed technically and mentally since joining PSG. I am less fatalistic."

Meunier is not the only player to have hinted at some big summer changes with PSG, as Di Maria has also said similar to his Belgian teammate.

Speaking with Ole while on international duty with Argentina, El Fideo admitted that losing to Real in the Champions League was a big blow after the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but that significant changes are coming.

"It was a big blow," said Di Maria. "€400 million spent on players and obviously the club had different expectations with Neymar on board.

"It was normal that expectations were heightened. The club suffered with this elimination. It was obvious that supporters were going to be critical and disappointed after signing important players. However, we must be gracious in defeat and raise our heads.

"There are still three competitions left to win and we want them all. If we do, it will be a big positive after failing to complete a domestic clean sweep last season. There will be major changes made ahead of next season."

Di Maria, now 30, did not elaborate on whether he would be part of those changes, but his strong 2018 form, domestically, has solidified his claims to remaining a key player at international level.

PSG's No. 11 is returning to Paris early after picking up an injury during Argentina's 2-0 friendly win over Italy in Manchester on Friday, which also saw club teammate Giovani Lo Celso tee up Ever Banega's opener, while Meunier could feature for Belgium against Saudi Arabia in a friendly in Brussels next Tuesday.

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