PSG manager Luis Enrique has been heavily linked with the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd recently, as the latest reports indicate that he has refused to renew his contract with the French club and is looking for a new challenge soon. Luis Enrique's current contract at PSG ends in 2027, but he could leave the club sooner. He has already established himself as a legend of PSG by winning them the Champions League, and the club's fans even unveiled a banner of Luis Enrique's late daughter Xana Martínez during the victory celebration as a tribute.
Luis Enrique has coached the following teams in his careers so far: Barcelona B, Roma, Celta, Barcelona, Spain, and currently Paris Saint-Germain. This article will look back at his iconic time as Barcelona manager (2014-2017), a club he played for and had previously worked as B team coach.
Luis Enrique at Barcelona: from underwhelming start to historic treble
Luis Enrique’s return to Barcelona in May 2014 began with optimism but soon turned into one of the most dramatic seasons in the club’s history. Appointed on a two-year contract and backed by sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, Enrique started confidently with a 3–0 league win over Elche, introducing new signings like Claudio Bravo, Ivan Rakitić, and Jérémy Mathieu, while also promoting young talents such as Munir, Rafinha, and Sandro. However, the early momentum faded after a defeat to Real Madrid in October, and his constant rotation of lineups raised doubts about his tactical approach. Tensions inside the dressing room, particularly a reported disagreement with Lionel Messi, further fueled criticism and created uncertainty around his future.
The situation worsened when Barcelona lost to Real Sociedad in January 2015, leading to the dismissal of Zubizarreta, Enrique’s main supporter at the club. Instead of collapsing, the team responded with a remarkable revival. Enrique settled on a clearer system, using Messi and Neymar as inverted wingers with Luis Suárez as the central striker, a change that unlocked the famous “MSN” attack. Results improved instantly, and Barcelona went on a winning streak that matched Pep Guardiola’s record of 11 consecutive victories. Strong performances against Atlético Madrid and Villarreal carried them into the Copa del Rey final, while a surge of league wins returned them to the top of La Liga.
By April, Enrique had achieved the best record of any Barcelona manager after 50 games. The team clinched the Spanish title in May and added the Copa del Rey soon after. On 6 June 2015, Barcelona defeated Juventus 3–1 in Berlin to win the Champions League, completing a historic treble. From a troubled start to European glory, Enrique’s season became one of the club’s greatest transformations.
Luis Enrique leaves Barcelona as a legend
Luis Enrique left Barcelona in 2017 having firmly established himself as one of the club’s great managers. After guiding the team to a historic treble in 2015, he continued adding silverware, beginning with a thrilling 5–4 victory over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. Known for bold decisions, he once chose not to use available substitutes to protect unprepared players, reflecting his careful approach. Enrique also rotated goalkeepers between competitions, a policy that sparked debate but delivered results. In 2016, Barcelona secured another domestic double, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey despite adversity. He stepped down at the end of his contract, departing as a true legend.
Whether it's to remain at PSG or joining Manchester United, Liverpool, or any other Top European club in the future, one thing is for certain, Luis Enrique is almost certain to make a huge impact wherever he's at.
