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PARIS • Even as football approaches the international break, Paul Pogba has been a man busy managing club and off-road business this week.
On Wednesday, the French midfielder supported his Manchester United interim director, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, informing Sky Sports that he wanted the Norwegian to get the job on a permanent basis.
He also insisted that the player's power was not behind Jose Mourinho's dismissal, citing "we did not win" as the main problem.
Later in the day, Pogba said he was happy in Manchester while it was a "dream for all football players" to play for Real Madrid a day.
When he returned to France, the 26-year-old also won world cup championships, inspired by many American sports, for his World Cup teammates.
For today, however, Pogba will be fully focused on what is happening on the pitch as France faces Moldova for their first Euro 2020 qualifier.
He insisted that the team would be equally motivated although the trip to Chisinau is far from the glitter of a World Cup match.
A GIFT FOR HIS FAMILY
I consider them my family. It's a small gift from me. A small gesture like this is nothing because a World Cup is for life. This ring, you can lose, but the World Cup, you do not lose.
PAUL POGBA, posing with his French teammates and their diamond-encrusted rings (above), adorned with the initials of the French Football Federation and the bad's emblem on red, white and blue jewels.
The Blues have played six games – four in the League of Nations – since their 4-2 victory over Croatia and victory in the 2018 World Cup, but the first match of Group H will be their first game leading to a major competition.
"It's true that it's not so easy to come back and have new goals immediately after winning the World Cup," Pogba said at his press conference at Camp D & R. Coaching from France to Clairefontaine. "But we have to do it, it's our job, we have to be professional, now we're competing, it's qualifying, we want to win, we want to be first in the group."
France was opposed to Moldova, Albania, Turkey, Andorra and Iceland, which face the Stade de France on Monday. The first two finalists will take place in 12 countries.
The coach of France, Didier Deschamps, has warned his team against complacency. "You have to be careful, we know very well that it will depend largely on us, but this team from Moldova will try their luck at home," he said.
Moldova is ranked 170th in the world (France, No. 2) and has not won any competitive matches, apart from two victories of the League of Nations against San Marino last year, since 2013.
"There will probably not be a lot of space, you're shooting with precision, movement and mixing," said Deschamps.
The 50-year-old also revealed that he wanted to stay at his post until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His contract is valid until June of next year, but he admitted that any extension would depend on his team's performance.
"For me, being able to continue until the next World Cup is obviously something for which I would not be dissatisfied, but we will see," he added.
"This is related to the results, but before thinking of 2022, here are the qualifiers (for the Euro 2020)."
Deschamps called Kingsley Coman after the Bayern Munich striker was dismissed from the World Cup team. The 22-year-old is determined to play Euro 2020.
"It's never easy, it can be easy if we make it easy," he told reporters. "We must participate fully in all matches and stay motivated.
"I think the team is always hungry for trophies, but to do good things, we must first qualify."
In group B of the Euro qualifiers, Cristiano Ronaldo joined his teammates from Portugal after a nine-month absence from the national team.
The 34-year-old Juventus coach has been recalled by his coach Fernando Santos for home matches against Ukraine and Serbia, having not played for his country since the Cup of the world. The reigning European champions, who qualify for the League of Nations semi-finals in June, are now starting their campaign against Ukraine before facing Serbia on Monday.
AGENCY FRANCE-PRESS, REUTERS
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