“I’m clearly an attacking coach.” Like the remarks he made during his first press conference as PSG coach, Luis Enrique deciphers his philosophy in an interview with the capital club media. The former Barça coach insists that he wants “a team that plays from the first minute, which does not calculate and which attacks”. All in order to the supporters and the players themselves “have fun”. Which wouldn’t hurt anyone after a difficult 2022-23 season at all levels… “My goal is for PSG supporters to be proud of their team and what they see on the pitch. , that they enjoy the show. And they will appreciate it if they see effort, work, a team that attacks well and defends well, that plays together, a united group. If they like it, and I’m sure they do, then they’ll be proud of their team,” swears the 53-year-old Asturian.
And to add, in the form of a message to the supporters: “I don’t know if it will work, but I am convinced that it can be done even if I cannot predict the results. I hope you will have a lot of fun.” It will go through in particular a rediscovered solidity at home. “Lucho” knows that Paris “lost a lot of points at home” last season. “We have to be practically invincible at home and for that we need our supporters,” he said. But before asking for anything, you have to know how to give. We have to make them want to cheer us on and enjoy our football.” A speech that should resonate with fans whose patience was sorely tested last season, and even the previous ones. To the point of seeing the birth of disinterest, disenchantment, a form of contempt.
“I am very happy, very proud and eager to start. Everything is new and when it’s new, it’s like stepping out of your comfort zone,” said the former Spanish international, who is known to have a certain ego. You feel it when he says, “I think this project brings together everything that is necessary for a coach of my level”. He thus refers to the reasons that led him to join the French capital. “The main reason is that the leaders have a very clear idea of the team they want to build, the project they want to build based on the resources available to Paris Saint-Germain. And I’m not just talking about economic resources, I’m also thinking about resources in terms of infrastructure, “he analyzes, saying he is” totally convinced “of Parisian success and singing the praises of the new training center. “Coaches who like to play attacking football need top-level pitches and facilities and here it’s just wonderful from that point of view,” he says, speaking of the “fortunate” to have a such a setting to work.
Last but not least, Luis Enrique has no intention of compromising on learning French. It has not always been a priority so far, players like Angel Di Maria, Leo Messi or Neymar Jr having had or still having the blessing of the club to do without the language of Molière. “Learning French is one of the things I want to do quickly, but I can also speak Italian with some players, speak English with others, speak Spanish… I think it’s very important for everyone to be able to communicate in the language that suits him best, but it is also very important that all foreign people who come to France and Paris learn the French language”, promises the winner of the C1 2015, who has conducted his first sessions since the beginning of the week and which will recover its entire workforce on Monday, with the return of the last internationals. Next Saturday, departure for Japan.
