Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain’s head coach since 2023, spoke candidly to UEFA ahead of this Wednesday’s European Super Cup match against Aston Villa (kick-off at 9 p.m., broadcast on Canal+). The Spaniard discussed his status, his mindset, and his ambitions for the future—all with striking frankness.
Luis Enrique: “I like to do it by convincing them, not just because I’m the coach.”
“I’m not a genius, and I have no desire to be one. I think I was born for competition; that’s where I feel most at ease. I have this constant obsession with improving performance—my relationship with the players and the team, the demands placed on me, and my empathy with the squad—and getting the very best out of them.
But I like to do it by convincing them, rather than simply because I’m the coach and I’m ordering them to do something. I enjoy trying to understand the game and explaining it to the players as simply as possible. I think that’s what drives me to keep improving. Nowadays, when people tell me, ‘You’ve won a lot of titles,’ it doesn’t matter; that’s the past—it’s ancient history.
I focus on renewing that desire to win. It’s hard to keep coming out on top. Right now, we face a unique challenge—something practically unprecedented in the history of European football: matching Real Madrid if we manage to win a third consecutive Champions League.”
Luis Enrique: “I don’t think there’s a single team in Europe more motivated than us.”
“Wow! That’s on a whole different level. No one in history has won three in a row, except for Real Madrid. We can match them. But I don’t think there’s a single team in Europe more motivated than us.
No one counts Paris Saint-Germain out anymore. Two years ago, it was impossible to list us among the favorites—or let’s just say we weren’t really considered contenders. Today, no one would dare…” …to say that Paris Saint-Germain isn’t the favorite. It’s a status we’ve earned, but if we want to maintain it, we have to work even harder.
“The project here is the one I’ve been most invested in as a coach.”
I’ll never forget the day sporting advisor Luis Campos came to my home. It took only fifteen minutes to realize we were on the same wavelength. There is no doubt that the project here is the one I’ve been most invested in as a coach. I hope to stay here for many more years.
It’s fantastic to start every season with the support of the club, the fans, and the management. I intend to give my very best. Continuing to win will be very difficult, but we won’t leave anything to chance.
Far from the image sometimes portrayed by the French media—that of a coach who considers himself a genius and looks down on others—Luis Enrique is, above all, a man driven by passion. He is passionate about competition, the game itself, and the act of teaching. He has no interest in leading merely by virtue of his status; he is not there to bark orders, but to share his philosophy and get his players to buy into it.
This is clearly reflected in his squad. The Spaniard has succeeded in getting his team to fully embrace his ideas—both in terms of gameplay, where the team never panics regardless of the match situation, and in squad management. The fact that there have been no complaints regarding playing time or specific decisions over the past two years is a genuine achievement that should not be overlooked.
The quality of football PSG plays also deserves recognition. While other teams have managed to win, few have done so with such style. Even their fiercest rivals are forced to admit that this Paris side is enjoyable to watch and often impressive. Luck played no part in his two European titles—even though there were moments when things could easily have swung the other way due to a minor detail. That is the nature of football.
This is why winning a third consecutive Champions League title is such a daunting challenge. One must accept the fierce competition and the fact that football can be unpredictable. However, there is no room for excuses or resting on one’s laurels. Luis Enrique has clearly defined the mission, and his players have already spoken about it.
PSG is not satisfied yet; the club is aiming for history and legendary status. This requires continued, immense effort. Luis Enrique’s words naturally resonate well and can even spur the players to push themselves further. The coach is fully committed to this project and intends to stay for the long haul. Of course, their dominance in the Champions League will eventually come to an end, but there will be no need to overreact when that happens. Instead, Paris should have a solid foundation to launch a fresh attack next season, backed by strong assets.
The day will come when Luis Enrique has to leave, too. But that is not on the agenda right now, and there is no point worrying prematurely about such a difficult succession. For the moment, the focus should be on enjoying the ride and getting behind the team.
