New Delhi: Luis Enrique has worked his magic at Paris Saint-Germain, transforming the club from a collection of flashy individuals into one of Europe’s most cohesive and disciplined sides. After Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe left the club, Enrique made PSG a model of collective responsibility rather than a playground for superstars.
When Mbappe announced his departure last season, many feared PSG would struggle to fill the void left by the world’s most sought-after striker but Enrique was unshaken. “Our game does not revolve around giving Mbappe free rein,” he told Spanish reporters bluntly. “That was the old way, and it didn’t win anything significant.”
Trophy hunt continues
In two seasons at the helm, Enrique has guided PSG to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and French Cups but everyone knows those trophies are a given for a club funded by Qatar Sports Investments. The true test for any PSG coach is the Champions League and Enrique has come closer than most.
Football is a game of inches. This team fights for every inch. pic.twitter.com/qX4Bw3I2gZ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 30, 2025
After steering PSG to the semi-finals last season, he is now just one game away from delivering the elusive European crown. Victory over Inter Milan in Munich would not only bring PSG their first Champions League triumph but would also make Enrique one of a select group of coaches, alongside Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Jose Mourinho, to win Europe’s top prize with two different clubs.
Out with the old
Before Enrique arrived, PSG were known for expensive collapses on Europe’s biggest stage, from the infamous 2017 Remontada in Barcelona to their shock defeat to Manchester United two years later. The man who masterminded that famous Remontada as Barca’s coach accepted the PSG job only on the condition that he could build the team his way.
In a Spanish documentary, Enrique admitted, “I never saw myself at PSG before because it was all about star power but they promised me change.”
He delivered on his promise by cleaning house. Neymar was the first to go, followed by fan-favourite Marco Verratti whose lifestyle clashed with the no-nonsense, high-discipline approach Enrique demanded. “No player is exempt from defending,” Enrique insisted, even Mbappe wasn’t above the rules before his exit.
A new beginning
Enrique’s fitness-driven training sessions and tactical rigour have forged a team that shares the workload. When Mbappe left, he famously shrugged it off. He said, “I’d rather have four players scoring 12 goals each than one scoring 40. It actually adds up to more goals.”
The approach has paid dividends. PSG’s attacking output has become more balanced and unpredictable with Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos, and Desire Doue all contributing double figures this season. Even new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has slotted in seamlessly adding flexibility and pressing power.
Relentless pressing, no plan B
PSG’s relentless pressing and rapid ball movement have drawn plaudits. Liverpool’s Arne Slot called them “Europe’s best” after they brushed aside his team in a penalty shootout. Yet critics say Enrique’s unwavering tactics can backfire. His Spain side famously dominated possession but fell to Morocco at the World Cup despite over 1,000 passes. Even now, some worry that PSG’s lack of a ‘Plan B’ could prove costly if Inter Milan manage to stifle them.
But Enrique’s unwavering faith in his system is exactly what has forged this PSG side’s identity. As Dembele put it, “If you don’t press and defend, someone else will take your place.” That mantra has helped him transform from an inconsistent dribbler to a 33-goal finisher, a testament to the coach’s transformative power.
Now, Enrique is on the brink of history. If he can guide this hard-working, star-less PSG to the top of Europe, he will have proven that discipline and teamwork trump even the biggest names in the game.
Luis Enrique transformed PSG from a team of superstars to a cohesive, disciplined force, chasing their first Champions League trophy. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
