PSG hire Enrique as manager in push to win the Champions League
The Spaniard promises 'attacking' and 'entertaining' soccer
French club Paris Saint-Germain have named Luis Enrique as the club’s new manager ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The former Spain midfielder and Barcelona boss, who has been available since leaving his post with La Roja following their shock exit from the World Cup against Morocco in the round of 16, replaced Christophe Galtier.
Enrique’s top priority will be attempting to win the Champions League.
“I love this pressure and this mission. It’s fantastic to have this pressure,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “There are plenty of teams that have the same dream, sometimes with more experience, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reach this level.”
Enrique, who has a contract through to the end of the 2025 season, called the Champions League “almost unfair” given its format.
“A bad game and you’re out,” he said. “We want to get the best out of the team. It’s a challenge.”
Despite a large payroll and a star-studded roster, PSG have been unable to win Europe’s top club competition.
Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, owns the club since 2011 through a group known as Qatar Sports Investments. The takeover made PSG the richest club in France and one of the wealthiest in the world.
Club President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has long admired Enrique's attacking, possession-based style — something Enrique said he will implement at PSG.
“My idea of football is attacking, attacking football, which can be entertaining for the supporters and which produces results,” Enrique added. “This is my challenge. I am committed to doing this. I am delighted to be there as PSG coach.”
Enrique will be reunited in Paris with former Barcelona striker Neymar, but will be without Lionel Messi and possibly even Kylian Mbappe who could leave for Real Madrid this summer.
Mbappe has the option of another season when his deal expires after next season — but has said he does not intend to activate the extension past the 2023-24 season.
Asked about Mbappe’s future, Al-Khelaifi said, “Our position is very clear. If Kylian Mbappe wants to stay — we want him to stay — he needs to sign a new contract. We cannot let the best player in the world right now leave for free. That is impossible.”