PARIS, July 5 (Xinhua) — Former Spain and Barcelona supervisor Luis Enrique was employed as Paris Saint-Germain’s new head coach on Wednesday, after the French champions had fired Christophe Galtier earlier within the day.
The Spaniard has penned a two-year contract with PSG, which makes him the fourth head coach for the Qatari-owned membership since Thomas Tuchel took cost in 2018. Tuchel was changed by Mauricio Pochettino in January 2021, earlier than the Argentine was fired final summer season and Galtier was given the reins.
“I’m delighted to be joining Paris in order to enjoy a new experience,” Enrique stated. “It’s so exciting to meet new people, to live in this city, to learn a new language and, above all, to manage PSG.”
The 53-year-old led Barcelona to the treble in 2015, additionally successful the European Super Cup and Club World Cup that very same 12 months. He gained one other La Liga title with them in 2016, and likewise has two extra Copa del Rey titles with the Catalan aspect.
Enrique then led Spain’s nationwide workforce to the semifinals of Euro 2020 and has had two stints in control of Spain since 2018, interrupted by the sickness and subsequent dying of his younger daughter. At the World Cup in Qatar final 12 months, Enrique steered La Roja out of a tricky group that includes Germany, Japan and Costa Rica, solely to endure a shock defeat by Morocco within the spherical of 16.
Prior to his Barca days, Enrique, who additionally gained a gold medal with Spain on the 1992 Olympic Games, additionally coached Roma and Celta Vigo.
In an earlier assertion, PSG had introduced the dismissal of Galtier, who had one 12 months left to run on his contract.
The 56-year-old helped PSG defend their Ligue 1 title final season, however the workforce’s exit within the spherical of 16 within the Champions League, following by a humiliating knockout in the identical stage at French Cup, noticed the membership’s homeowners and supporters lose endurance with him.
Asked whether or not he had been given any ensures that celebrity ahead Kylian Mbappe would stay on the membership for the approaching marketing campaign, Enrique was evasive.
The Spaniard later insisted he was “counting on all the players who are under contract”.
However, PSG president Nasser El-Khelaifi acknowledged that Mbappe, 24, “must sign a new contract” if he desires to stay on the membership within the coming season.
“The position is very clear. If Kylian wants to stay, he must sign a new contract. We can’t let the best player in the world today leave for free. It’s impossible,” Al-Khelaifi stated.
“He said he would not leave for free. If somebody has changed his mind, that is not my fault.”
Mbappe declared final month that he wouldn’t prolong his contract, which expires subsequent 12 months.