Very present in the media in recent days, the president of PSG, Nasser al-Khelaïfi, once again recalled the importance of this new Parisian project.
For a year and a half, the PSG has decided to pursue a new sports policy. From now on, the Rouge & Bleu are turning towards a young and collective project. And to achieve this, Luis Enrique was appointed coach in the summer of 2023. On a media tour for several days, the Parisian president, Nasser al-Khelaïfigave an interview to the Spanish daily Mark. The boss of the Rouge & Bleu talks in particular about this new project, the recent criticism surrounding his team and Luis Enriquethe new format of the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Selected extracts.
Is PSG on the right track with a project based on young talents?
“Yes, the new superstar of Paris Saint-Germain is the team, but we also have a lot of stars. What is different today is that we have a strong collective on the field and a strong and united institution off the field. We also think in the short, medium and long term, and we don't just look in front of our noses and react impulsively and emotionally to everything. Have a young team, build an identity. Of course we want to win every match, we want to be competitive in every competition, that's for sure. But with patience and perseverance: an evolution, not a weekly revolution, as I keep repeating. »
The new Champions League, is it a good format despite the criticism?
“I think it’s a format that has improved a lot for everyone. You see the rankings, the media, the fans… you see the results of all the teams: more competition, more surprises, more involvement. And more clubs who dream of playing in
Europe. »
Is the PSG Campus the most beautiful project since the arrival of QSI?
“The training center has been one of our main goals since our arrival: to build the best training center in the world and train the best young players to
Paris and in the Paris region. We also want to focus on the entire Paris region: bringing jobs, investments, raising standards. The future of Paris Saint-Germain will be born and built on our Campus, it will not be bought. Made in
Paris. Pour
Paris. »
Does he think the Superleague will not see the light of day?
“No, it doesn’t exist. In fact, it has never existed, except in the heads of a few deluded people. And today, with the new format of the three men's competitions l'UEFA and the
Club World Cup of the revamped FIFA, it is even less possible, it is impossible. No one will support it: neither the supporters, nor the players, nor the media, nor the governments, nor the clubs. Do you know that only two clubs support this project? I hope that one day they will realize their error of judgment and return to the European family. »
The importance of the Club World Cup
“The tournament has been criticized, but it is time to stop throwing stones and be positive and constructive. It's happening and it's going to be fantastic. I was at
Miami this week and the excitement was palpable: we are bringing football to one of the most important markets in sports. The tournament will bring huge revenues to the participating clubs, but also to the non-participating clubs, which will contribute to the football ecosystem. It will make football more global, and not just European. And it will not significantly increase players' workload, since it is only played every four years and for a small number of clubs. What increases the workload of the players are the 20-team national championships, the two national cups, the resumption matches, the friendly matches and the exhibition matches, as well as the fact that the coaches do not rotate their team. »
What does he think of the recent criticism of Luis Enrique and PSG's results?
“Last year we reached our third semi-final of the Champions League in five years. We won all the other trophies. We transformed our strategy and our team. We are leading the championship and we are going to compete in the Club World Cup of FIFA this summer. It is true that certain results have not been to our advantage this season in
Champions Leaguebut when things are difficult, you have to stick together and support the team, which our supporters do, even if some media do not do it. We have a fantastic coach, Luis Enrique. We have a great sports advisor,
Luis Campos. As a club we fully support all players and coaches. Our foundations are solid and our ambitions have not changed. »
A contract extension for Luis Enrique, is it possible?
“I already told him that we want him to be here for many years, I just want him to play padel… I'm going to try to take him to the finals of the Prime Minister has fallen has Barcelona next week! »
