Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi declared that having Luis Enrique as head coach represents the greatest achievement of his professional career, speaking ahead of the club’s Champions League semifinal clash with Bayern Munich.
Al-Khelaifi made the remarks during “The Forum” event held at the Metropolitano Stadium, where he praised Enrique’s impact on the PSG project since his arrival. The PSG president emphasized that his pride in the coaching appointment stems not from trophies won but from the daily operate and philosophy implemented by Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos.
“Having Enrique as head coach, and having Luis Campos as sporting director. They have everything. They do things exceptionally well. Not since we won the championship last year, but because of the work they do. Their philosophy, how excellent they are as people, this is a complete package, whether in good times or bad times. They believe in this project, we are all together,” Al-Khelaifi stated, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo covered by Dongqiudi.
The PSG president further elaborated on Enrique’s personal qualities, describing him as “one of the most positive people I have met in my life.” Al-Khelaifi noted Enrique’s resilience in adversity: “He might feel down, but he is always able to motivate others. That’s how he looks at things. In football, you lose matches, you lose tournaments, but you learn how to improve every day in every aspect.”
When asked about regrets in his career, Al-Khelaifi maintained a forward-looking perspective: “I don’t regret any decision I’ve made, because even if you make a mistake, you can learn from it. If I could go back in time, I would do the same things. Every decision, at that moment, I believed it was correct. Maybe in hindsight it isn’t, but that way I learn. I think I won’t regret it, I’m learning.”
Regarding PSG’s current form and their Champions League semifinal berth, Al-Khelaifi highlighted the significance of reaching this stage for three consecutive years: “For us, reaching the Champions League semifinals for three consecutive years means you must be at your best, and this is very special for us. This is a very hard competition, all teams are performing exceptionally well.”
The PSG president similarly addressed his relationship with the squad, emphasizing his presence during both victories and defeats: “When they win, I’m on the field. When they lose, I’m even more present. This is what they need. When they win, they don’t need me, they celebrate. I try to be there when they need support.”
Al-Khelaifi’s comments reach as PSG prepares to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal tie. The club has reached this stage of Europe’s premier club competition for three straight seasons, establishing themselves as consistent contenders under the Enrique-Campos leadership duo.
The partnership between Enrique and Campos has been credited with implementing a cohesive sporting project at PSG that extends beyond immediate results to long-term structural development. Their approach focuses on maintaining excellence regardless of short-term outcomes, a philosophy that has resonated with the club’s leadership.
As PSG looks to advance past Bayern Munich and reach the Champions League final, the continued alignment between president, head coach, and sporting director remains a central theme in the club’s pursuit of European glory.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Paris Saint-Germain is the first leg of their Champions League semifinal match against Bayern Munich, scheduled to take place as part of UEFA’s 2024-25 competition calendar.
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