Lucas Hernandez, a 29-year-old defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, has had the opportunity to work with great coaches throughout his career, marked by numerous titles. In an interview with Le Parisien, he was asked about a similarity between Luis Enrique (Parisian coach), Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid), and Didier Deschamps (French national team).
Hernandez: “You want to die for him and bring him victory.”
“Luis Enrique is a little different. He has this constant desire to have possession. And he always wants to win. Cholo’s (Simeone) approach to the game isn’t the same, but he also delivers this kind of transcendent message. When you step onto the pitch, you want to die for him and bring him victory. It’s the same for coach Deschamps. We’ve been working together for over seven years.” He loves his players and knows how to convey his hunger for a title to them.”
When you see the game, it’s not easy to bring these three coaches together. It’s a reminder that there are many ways to approach the field, with multiple strategies, priorities to set, etc. But to win, there’s no secret: you need a certain mentality and to be able to transmit it throughout the squad.
This is perhaps a point that makes a difference at the highest level, among the players as well. There’s a determination, a high standard. Lucas Hernandez has been around several winners, and it’s no coincidence; he also has this insatiable desire to win.
