Not seeing each other for years, and realizing that nothing has changed. Isn’t that, after all, friendship? The one between Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola has not faded and the two 54-year-old men have no trouble communicating all the good things they think of the other. “What do I have to say about Pep? His idea of football is wonderful, mine too.”expressed the Asturian after his team’s victory in Lens on Saturday. It’s also a way to kick off the clash against his “companero’s” Manchester City on Wednesday for a decisive match in the Champions League.
While the two teams will play for survival, the two illustrious technicians will only face each other for the 5th time in their careers. and for the moment none are leading (2 victories everywhere). “We arranged to meet in Berlin (for the C1 2015 final) as a joke but it won’t be possible“, laughed Luis Enrique before facing with his Barca, the Catalan Bayern in the continental semi-final 7 years ago. And if I say that Pep is the best coach in the world, it’s because I think so and because he’s a friend. I always think highly of my friends…“
Linked destinies
As always, we should expect long hugs between the two Spanish coaches. It must be said that Pep and Luis have known each other for almost 30 years, when the latter arrived as a player in FC Barcelona where the former played. Partners in selection, the two men learned to work alongside each other even in the corridors of the Masia where they began their coaching training.
What’s next? A sort of mixed destiny between the two men. A formidable Blaugrana coach (2008-2012), Guardiola saw Luis Enrique succeed him a few years later (2014-2017). The Asturian did him honor by achieving almost the same standards of success and a legendary hat-trick in 2015. “As a fan, I am very sad. Given his personality and character, we are losing the perfect coach“, declared the now City coach upon the departure of his friend from Catalonia in 2017.
Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola in 2016.
Credit: Getty Images
-A certain mischief and a precise idea of the game
The native of Gijon returned the courtesy in 2021, suggesting the name of Guardiola to succeed him at the head of La Roja. The two men, who share a certain charisma and a pleasure in teasing the media, remain united by their idea and their passion for tactics and the game. A dogmatism of possession which is struggling, this season, to reap its rewards at the highest level. level in Paris as in Manchester.
In a world of football where brothers tear each other apart, Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola had the merit of never spitting in each other’s soup. If they do not post from the rooftops any moments spent together off the field, the fifty-year-olds have multiplied praise and proof of respect over the years. When the Parisian coach’s daughter died in 2019, her counterpart had her team wear an armband to pay tribute to her, showing all his support in this difficult moment.
Despite all respect, it is as rivals that they will have to meet on Wednesday. For the good of Paris, which would have already missed its season without going to the play-offs on Luis Enrique’s side, to put Manchester City’s head above water on Guardiola’s side. No question of giving yourself gifts, but rather the opportunity to beat a respectable and respected opponent. Last year, Luis Enrique provoked his friend Xavi before facing his Barca by believing that he represented the historic DNA of the club more than his young counterpart. Will he dare to shake up the icon Guardiola? Answer first on the ground.
Are we being too harsh with Tchouaméni, whistled at the Bernabeu? “He is no longer progressing”
Video credit: Eurosport
