19 April 2007, by Sean Gillen

Pauleta keen to put nightmare season behind him

PSG captain admits to “worst season of my career”

Pedro Pauleta has admitted that the current season with Paris Saint-Germain has been the worst of his career, while also reaffirming his desire to retire at the club next summer.

A disastrous season has seen the team fighting relegation, star midfielder Vikash Dhoraso sacked after an argument with the club’s management, as well as coach Guy Lacombe fired and replaced by Paul Le Guen following poor results.

“There’s no other way to describe it,” Pauleta told Fifa.com when asked if it had been the worst campaign of his career. “I really hope that it all ends well, and as soon as possible.”

Poor results incomprehensible

“To be honest, it’s something I’ve really struggled to understand. We have a team of quality players, the atmosphere within the group is excellent,” he said.

“I think at times we have lacked character. We should have done more to punish opponents in some games, and certain players took a long time to realise how serious our situation was.”

“But I’m also convinced that this season will do a lot of good for certain PSG players. You grow up a lot faster when you’re faced with difficulty. It serves as a reminder that in football you don’t get anywhere by talking big, it is what you do on the pitch that counts.”

The team’s fortunes have improved in recent weeks, with PSG taking seven points from their last three games. However, Pauleta no longer enjoys his previous status as an automatic first choice, and has been left on the bench for two of the team’s last three games.

“I’m not going to change just because I’m now playing less often,” he says of his new role. “The coach must make his own choices, and I will respect them.”

Natural competitor

“That’s not to say that I’m happy with the situation. Of course, I’d like to play every match - I’m a natural competitor. But I am happy in the knowledge that I give my best every time I go onto the pitch.”

“The team has regained the initiative and has been looking very solid again. However, until we are mathematically safe, we need to stay on our guard. It’s down to us to show that PSG deserves its place in Ligue 1, and we want to make sure of it before the final day of the season.”

With speculation still about that Pauleta may look to move on to pastures new in the summer following four years in the French capital, the striker is also keen to stress that his main aim is to remain at the club for what will be the final year of his career.

“Throughout my life I’ve been the one to decide which club I play for. I’m not about to change that at 34, when I’m one season away from retirement,” he said.

“I still have a year left on my contract here in Paris, and I want to finish my career in June 2008, wearing the colours of PSG. I can’t be any clearer than that!”