Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has never hidden his affection for Barcelona, and despite the fact that his side will play the Blaugrana in the Champions League quarter-finals, the Asturian showed no sign of doing so in the lead up to the clash. On Thursday evening he confirmed that he would be happy to coach Barcelona again.
‘Lucho’ was hosting a Twitch stream in order to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation he has set up in honour of his daughter Xana, who tragically passed away in 2019. The charity will be dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses.
He interacted with viewers and was typically forthright. With Barcelona looking for a new manager, he explained on Twitch that he would go back – if the timing was right.
“I have always said that I would like to but the reality is that it is very complicated for paths to cross, it is difficult to coincide in time, this summer from what Xavi has said they will need another coach but I have a contract and my rule is to continue and be faithful to the people who trust me.”
🚨 President Laporta refuses to sign a new economic vice president for Barça and Eduard Romeu's old position will remain vacant, at least for now. @VMalo8
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 20, 2024
“Last summer I was available but they had a coach, this summer they need a coach, it’s difficult for it all to line up.”
He also confirmed that he was negotiating with two Premier League sides before joining Paris Saint-Germain, but that ‘they did not call him back.’ The silver lining for Luis Enrique was that if ‘they eliminate us, at least it’s my team’.
“[I’m] Cule and Sporting [Gijon] for life. On an emotional level for me it is going to be complicated, but I owe it to the club that has decided to support me.”
He also commented on the pressure of managing the biggest clubs in the world, and he was of the opinion that the job at Barcelona was similar in terms of pressure to other big clubs.
“I have heard Xavi say that because he is a cule and a Catalan, for him Barca is the most difficult bench, but the truth is that Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester United… they are all clubs that have a different scale and are clubs subject to great pressure when it comes to managing anything, any scuffle is news.”
It has been reported in the past that Luis Enrique is one of the coaches that Barcelona Sporting Director Deco likes most for the upcoming vacancy, but the Asturian, provided he keeps his job in Paris, appears to be unavailable.
