Le Guen poised for PSG push

Great expectations
The 42-year-old Le Guen returned to the capital club on Monday in place of Guy Lacombe, ten days after parting company with Scottish side Rangers FC. Expectation is high at Parc des Princes that the midfielder who served them with distinction for seven years, lifting the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, can see off mid-table Toulouse FC and propel PSG up the table.

Difficult evening
"I have no magic wand, only hard work," said Le Guen. For a PSG team beaten 2-1 at home by Valenciennes FC on Saturday, there could be plenty of that against opponents who stunned runaway leaders Lyon 2-0 the same day. "The game has come very early," he warned. Indeed, it promises to be a difficult evening as Toulouse can climb to within three points of third place with a victory in a fixture rearranged from 3 December.

Rothen back
This is uncharted territory for Le Guen, whose old charges at Lyon play Le Mans UC 72 tonight in a League Cup semi-final. The winners will face FC Girondins de Bordeaux. "I have never been in such a situation as a coach," he said, recalling that he had always had the opportunity to lead his players in summer training since launching his coaching career at Stade Rennais FC in 1998. Yet he is up for the challenge. "I have to deal with it," he said. His first move has been to recall left-winger Jérôme Rothen who had been out of favour with Lacombe.

Pauleta meeting
Flanked by his long-time assistant Yves Colleu, Le Guen started his new regime with a 90-minute training session. He then held individual meetings with players, captain Pauleta being the first in his office. The three-time Ligue 1 champion also spoke with technical staff including Alain Roche, academy boss Bertrand Reuzeau and his former midfield colleague Vincent Guérin, now the reserve-team chief. For fans, though, the time has come for PSG to do their talking on the pitch.