Luis Enrique (l.) and Xavi won the handle pot in 2015 – Enrique should replace him as Barça coach in 2023 © Getty Images
Xavi Hernandez (44) had to pack his bags for FC Barcelona at the end of June 2024. Those in charge apparently thought about a separation a year and a half earlier – and contacted Luis Enrique.
Luis Enrique led Barça to a treble in 2014/15, and since then the Blaugrana have been chasing another Champions League triumph in vain. Neither Ernesto Valverde nor Ronald Koeman nor Xavi Hernandez were able to bring the trophy to the Camp Nou.
Xavi at least brought the championship and the Supercopa de Espana to Catalonia in 2023. But it almost didn’t happen. In the winter of 2022/23, the bosses apparently thought about firing the former superstar.
Those in charge knocked on Luis Enrique’s door after he left the Spanish national team after the 2022 World Cup. Luis Enrique confirmed according to Marca in the series “You have no idea” conversations with President Joan Laporta. “Are you going to fire Xavi if he wins the league and the cup? No, right? Well, that’s it,” Enrique told Laporta at the time.
Luis Enrique should start a second term as Barça coach © ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com
Xavi ultimately remained in office and was only replaced by Hansi Flick in the summer of 2024. Enrique was introduced as PSG’s new head coach a few months later. “If I had waited a little longer, I could have coached Barça too. Who knows,” emphasizes Enrique.
Luis Enrique didn’t want Messi and Neymar at PSG
Enrique also reveals in the documentary that he would not have signed for Paris Saint-Germain if the aging superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar, with whom he enjoyed great success at Barça, had stayed. “I wouldn’t have trained PSG with Messi-Neymar-Mbappe,” says the PSG coach.
For the ex-Barça and Real Madrid professional, team spirit and defensive work are important in all parts of the team. The focus should not be on individual stars and their possible privileges. With Neymar, Mbappe and Messi, PSG was apparently too weak defensively for Enrique. “If only the team with the best player in the world won titles, PSG would have eight Champions League titles… and they have zero,” clarifies Enrique.
