Poor results, management of certain executives that raises questions, and a “dogmatic” working method – as we often read – Luis Enrique is perhaps going through his most stormy period since his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain. What's going on in this locker room?
It's strange, all the same. Luis Enrique extended his contract at Paris Saint-Germain a few weeks ago until 2027, without the official announcement being made yet, and yet, he has never seemed in such danger since his arrival on the bench Parisian, in the summer of 2023. The last two results and performances of the Ile-de-France club (defeat at Bayern, draw against Nantes), would have unleashed quite a few Parisian players, according to the information from the newspaper l'Equipe.
We already knew the Asturian's confident working method. “I'm tough when I have to be tough, and more permissive when I have to be.” he said at a press conference to explain the sidelining of Ousmane Dembélé during the trip to Arsenal in the Champions League at the beginning of October. Except that this authority, when the results do not go well, like last week, poses a problem. the Team explain that Ousmane Dembélé and Presnel Kimpembe would be two of the most distant PSG players with Enrique's management, “angry“, as our colleagues write. The first questions his public treatment, he who was on the bench against Nantes on Saturday (1-1) and the defender, he is impatiently awaiting his return to competition without understanding why he had was called up for the trip to Munich, but was not in the group for the reception of the Canaries.
Another French international is affected by these frictions. Randal Kolo Muani is starting to get annoyed at being just an extra in his coach's game plan. Recruited for €90M in the summer of 2023 – not under Enrique's wishes – the reigning vice-world champion did not play a single minute last week, during the two Parisian routs. If in public he copes without complaining, the former Nantes player would express his dissatisfaction in private, which those close to him in the locker room would legitimately understand.
Luis Enrique's communication would also be at the center of tensions. According to a source which opens to the Teamthe former Barcelona tactician does not give the same speech publicly, during press conferences therefore, as in private. “He can, for example, console a player after a poor performance, and criticize him a few minutes later at a press conference. Two annoying personalities.” we tell the sports daily. The recent documentary around Enrique, directed by Movistar and broadcast in France by Canal+, also upsets certain PSG players, according to RMC Sport. A mini-series in which we see the coach attack certain Parisians, like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé or even the entire locker room, at half-time of the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Real Sociedad in 2023-2024.
“In fact, when players start to gain weight, a little light and influence, he doesn't like it at all' we relate to the Team, which states “that a large part of the locker room is not in rebellion” against Luis Enrique. Come January, that could change. We can read in recent hours that the tactician would not be fully satisfied with the quality of his squad and that reinforcements would be expected in the winter transfer window. Is Enrique in danger? Two weeks ago, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi assured his support and confidence in the former Spain coach. If the president is on his side, some leaders would start to be critical of him.
