How Luis Enrique transformed PSG from individual superstars to a unified family

Daily Maverick

2 days ago

Following Paris Saint-Germain's emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the 2025 European Champions League final, Luis Enrique's reputation as one of the best coaches around has been reinforced.
Often there is an overused phrase within the workplace — 'We are all family here.' Usually the environment is hardly anything like family though — instead being a vile and competitive space where people are trying to outshine each other. That was said to be the case even at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before the arrival of manager Luis Enrique in 2023.
PSG's policy of recruiting the best players in the world for transfer fees that equate to the economies of the poorest countries in the world fostered this type of environment. Players such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi came to the club as both footballers and celebrities. As such, their influence in the dressing room was significant — for better or worse.
They were also arriving at a PSG side whose history as an all-conquering outfit is still being written. The French champions are not Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United or Liverpool in history or stature, even though their recent European Champions League success has set them on the right path to hopefully reach such heights and pedigree one day.
Change in philosophy
The culture shift that Enrique demanded of the PSG hierarchy was pivotal to the serial champions finally conquering Europe — 14 years after Qatar Sports Investments took over the club and began pouring billions into it. The objective? To propel PSG to the summit of French soccer, then conquer Europe.
The first objective was achieved hastily and easily. Since Qatar Sports Investments' arrival in 2011, the Parisians have increased their Ligue 1 gold medal haul to 13 overall. Prior to the Qatari takeover PSG only had two French league trophies to their name. Now they have overtaken traditional powerful French teams such as Saint-Étienne, Marseille, Monaco and Lyon.
However, for the elusive European success to come to fruition, PSG truly had to become a work family in its purest sense. Everyone was required to pull in the same direction, at the same time.
Previously, the team's superstars had even been accused of insubordination and undermining the club's managers. If they were unhappy, they would allegedly leap over their coaches and report directly to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
A similar modus operandi was said to be in place at English Premier League side Chelsea when they were still owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, with senior players wielding more dressing room power than some of the managers who worked at the Blues during the Abramovich era.
Mass exodus
The no-nonsense Enrique made his conditions clear when he took over the reins from Frenchman Christophe Galtier two years ago. The Spanish tactician wanted a team consisting of players who would fight for the PSG badge, as opposed to placing individual glory at the forefront.
'I never imagined myself coaching PSG because their policy was to attract the biggest superstars. But now they want to change,' he told Spanish documentary filmmakers in 2024.
When there was buy-in from the PSG hierarchy towards the former Barcelona mentor's proposed philosophy for the club, there was a max exodus. Influential players such as Messi, Neymar and midfielder Marco Verratti were shipped out upon Enrique's arrival. Mbappé followed them in 2024.
After that, the focus turned to recruiting young, talented players who Enrique would be able to mould like clay. Players who were not so settled in their habits. Enter Désiré Doué, João Neves, Bradley Barcola, Willian Pacho and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — to name a few.
Despite his spring cleaning exercise upon arriving in France, Enrique did hold on to some senior players, such as the club's long-time captain Marquinhos. The Brazilian has been at PSG since 2013 and his presence was crucial for imparting the core values of the club beyond its excessive spending habits.
Humility equals harmony
Enrique preached humility to his newly crafted squad — reminding them how privileged they were to be in the position they found themselves in.
'We're just very fortunate people with a skill that happens to be paid very well,' Enrique told his players before their Champions League final against Inter.
'If we were playing table tennis we wouldn't even get noticed. We'd be walking, taking the bus or riding bikes and nobody would look at us twice. How lucky we are to be good at something that pays well,' the former Spain midfielder added.
This is the mantra that Enrique has whispered into his players' ears over the past couple of years. It has clearly paid dividends. Whereas PSG previously consisted of uber-talented individual superstars, the Parisians are now truly a family — a cohesive unit working for the greater good of the club.
'It's amazing. It is a feeling that I try to instil in my players. You see it on the pitch. One for all and all for one, like the Three Musketeers. That is marvelous in a team sport,' stated Enrique.
'Yes, there's a star, a star that shines more brightly than anything else, that is the team. That is the star, the team,' he said.
This young and ambitious family can now build what Qatar Sports Investments has long dreamt of — a European dynasty to complement their total dominance of French soccer. For Enrique, such success would further entrench his legacy as one of the greatest soccer tacticians of this era. DM