In his interview with PSG TV, Luis Enrique answered questions about the evolution of his work at Paris Saint-Germain. The coach reflects on his mistakes, the pressure surrounding his contract extension, the decisions left to players during matches, and his need to refresh his methods.
Luis Enrique: “I can improve a lot”
And on a more personal level, do you feel you are better understood or listened to as a coach? Has the way people view you changed?
No, not really. I knew perfectly well what kind of coach I was and still am. I make mistakes; I know I’m not perfect. I’ve still made plenty of errors. I try to improve every day, and for me, that is clearly a source of motivation.
That said, I know—because I’m getting on a bit… not old, exactly, but I have experience in football. But that doesn’t mean I think I’m always right or that I can’t keep growing. Clearly, I can improve a lot. That’s one of the principles I try to follow.
Luis Enrique: “I’ve extended my contract, and I feel much more pressure to show them I’m ready”
Would you say your job is easier now, in the sense that your methods are better understood by the players? Do you have less need to convince them of your approach?
It’s the opposite. I’ve extended my contract, and I feel much more pressure to show them I’m ready—that I want to see the people, the Paris Saint-Germain fans, win plenty of trophies.
It’s the opposite of being calmer. I don’t feel any calmer or more relaxed just because people tell me they’re happy—especially the Parisians, who often tell me: “You’ve changed our lives.” . But mind you, we mustn’t overstate the importance of football. There are many things more important than football.
Still, it is a wonderful thing for a coach to know that your work has meant something to people, and to share such powerful moments with them and their families. It also brings added motivation and responsibility for me, because I have to show that I deserve the trust placed in me.
Luis Enrique: ‘You have to understand the game to make the best decision.’
And has the relationship with your players changed? Do you involve them more? Or hasn’t much changed in that regard?
Every team talk is different. We try to be unpredictable—even to the players—and we’ve shared the last three years with the majority of the squad. Of course, some players have left and others have arrived.
But for us, the most important thing is knowing that they understand the way we play and can make key decisions during the match. I don’t want to be a coach who is constantly barking orders. No, you have to understand the game to make the right decision every time. That’s the key.
They also need to be capable of proposing solutions and handling the various situations that arise. It’s not just up to the coach to decide everything. No, we move forward together. We want to share this journey, but they have to make more decisions.
That’s what we aim for in our team talks. We try to anticipate what will happen tomorrow against Le Mans. We anticipate the situations we might face and how the opposition will defend. Because as a coach, you can speak before the match and at halftime, but I never speak after the game.” But during the match, the players must figure out for themselves what is happening on the field.
Luis Enrique: “I love change; I love being outside my comfort zone.”
You’re never bored in your line of work. Are you constantly reinventing yourself?
All the time! All the time! I need to improve my French. I need to improve my English and my Italian. I need to refine my approach and demonstrate that I’m making decisions.
I’m lucky to have people around me—in my staff—who look to change things up, and I love that! I love change, I love being outside my comfort zone, and ultimately, it’s important to stay true to what we believe.
