Paris Saint Germain are in advance talks to appoint Luis Enrique as the club’s new head coach following the departure of Christophe Galtier.
Despite guiding the team to winning Ligue 1, the French powerhouse concluded to part ways with Christophe Galtier after just one season with the Ligue 1 champions due to last season’s disappointing European campaign.
The Frenchman left Nice to take charge of Les Parisiens but was unable to break the club’s UEFA Champions League deadlock after being knocked out in the round of 16 in the hands of Bayern Munich.
Although Paris Saints Germain are yet to make an official statement on Galtier’s dismissal, the 56-year-old exit is believed to be confirmed imminently as the French club search for a probable replacement.
However, according to reports, Luis Enrique, former FC Barcelona and Spain head coach has been recognized as the number one prospect to replace Galtier, and Paris Saint Germain are now close to reaching an agreement with the Spaniard.
It was reported last week that PSG held talks with former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann over a possible Galtier replacement but the discussion reportedly collapsed.
Nagelsmann is understood to have held positive discussions with PSG chiefs sitting in Doha, but the German manager thereafter pulled out of the race after failing to agree key details with the French club.
According to football insiders, Luis Enrique has already accepted to join Paris Saint Germain as the club’s new manager.
There are still a few loose ends to tie up, but PSG is optimistic that they will be able to announce Enrique as their new head coach this week.
The powers that be have long had their eye on Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid coach, but the 50-year-old is rumored to have been waiting for the France national team job to open up for him.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps’ extension of his contract with France until 2026 boosted PSG’s prospects of signing Zidane, but the player is rumored to have turned down a new offer from Les Parisiens.
Former PSG midfielder and current Bologna manager Thiago Motta was also considered for the position, but PSG ultimately went with the more seasoned Enrique.
The 53-year-old resigned from his Spain post after La Roja’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup in the round of 16.
He was also linked with the Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur jobs before those clubs appointed Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou, respectively.
Luis Enrique stats:
In his 44 games in command of Spain, Enrique won 24, drew 11, and lost 9. He led La Roja to the semifinals of Euro 2020 and the final of the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League, both of which they lost to France.
While at Barcelona, the Spaniard won nine trophies throughout three seasons, including a treble of the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey in 2014–15.
After retiring as a player in 2004, Enrique went on to coach Celta Vigo and Roma, where he also won trophies. He was awarded the World’s Best Club Coach that year.
What’s next for Paris Saint Germain?
The French powerhouse will be looking forward to agreeing on a deal with Enrique and announcing his appointment later this week.
