Champions League Final: In Luis Enrique's new-look PSG, the coach is the superstar

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique, who took charge in July 2023 following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar, has transformed the team into a formidable force ahead of this weekend's Champions League final. The 55-year-old Spanish manager has revived his reputation after being dismissed by Spain post their 2022 World Cup exit, molding PSG into one of Europe's most feared sides despite the challenge of replacing departing superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Luis Enrique arrived at PSG during a period of transition, with the club moving away from its star-studded attacking trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe, who were known for their limited defensive contributions.

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The departure of Messi and Neymar, followed by Mbappe's impending exit, allowed Luis Enrique to implement his vision for the team.

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi acknowledged this shift in philosophy early in the season, stating: "We are in the middle of building a new identity, our own style and way of playing, and a new culture." He added that winning the Champions League was no longer "something we are obsessed with."



In his first season, Luis Enrique led PSG to a domestic league and cup double, along with reaching the Champions League semi-finals before losing to Borussia Dortmund.

Despite Mbappe's imminent departure, Luis Enrique remained confident about the team's future. "If everything goes well I'm convinced we'll have a much better team than this year," he said in February 2024.

The Spanish coach's tactical approach emphasizes possession-based football and aggressive pressing, though some critics, including former player Iago Aspas, have questioned his flexibility. "Luis Enrique had a very clear game plan, and when plan A didn't work, there was no plan B," Aspas remarked.

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Early season struggles and a defeat to Bayern Munich in November threatened PSG's Champions League campaign. When questioned about his tactics after losing to Arsenal, Luis Enrique responded: "I have no intention of explaining my tactics to you. You wouldn't understand."

The team's transformation has been remarkable since then, with impressive victories over Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal.

Luis Enrique successfully converted winger Ousmane Dembele into a prolific scorer, with 33 goals this season, proving his decision to play without a traditional striker effective.



The coach, who previously won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, now stands on the brink of joining an elite group of managers who have won the trophy multiple times.

Reflecting on his past success, Luis Enrique said: "Getting to a Champions League final is always difficult. All players and coaches dream of it, but not everyone gets there. The job I did at Barca was extraordinary. Even if people said it was easy to win the Champions League with that team, it wasn't."

Between his Barcelona tenure and PSG appointment, Luis Enrique managed Spain twice, taking a break in 2019 following his daughter Xana's death from bone cancer.

Drawing from these experiences, he believes he's evolved as a coach. "I have more experience now. I remember before my first final I was really stressed," he shared. "This time I hope to transmit a message of calm. Otherwise I think I have learnt from my mistakes and that has helped me get where I am now."
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