Luis Enrique would give up half of his salary to never have to speak to the media again. The Spanish coach occasionally clashes with the press and could easily do without the army of journalists.
During the lead-up to PSG’s match against Stade Rennes, Luis Enrique faced the media with visible frustration, as the conversation turned to recent comments he had made, which, according to the coach, were taken out of context.
The Spanish TV channel Movistar+ had recently released a documentary series about Enrique, delving into his career and personal insights. However, some of his remarks from the show were misrepresented online, sparking a wave of questions and criticism from journalists, which he was not eager to address.
Luis Enrique, known for his candid and sometimes combative relationship with the press, took the opportunity to clarify his feelings about media interactions in general. "I enjoy being with you," the former Spain and Barcelona coach said, offering a polite but pointed remark. However, he quickly added that if he had the option, he would gladly step away from the media spotlight altogether. "But if you gave me the choice, I would have no problem not giving press conferences anymore," he continued. His frustration was evident as he joked, "I’ve never cut one short before. But if I had to halve my salary to never speak to the press again, I’d sign immediately. But that’s impossible. Contracts obligate coaches to speak."
His comments shone a light on a broader issue faced by high-profile football managers, who are contractually required to address the media as part of their role, despite the personal toll it can take. For Luis Enrique, dealing with media scrutiny is often a double-edged sword. While he recognizes the importance of communication in football, he has also been on the receiving end of what he perceives as unfair coverage, particularly when his words are twisted or taken out of context.
The press conference took a more heated turn when the conversation shifted to one of Luis Enrique’s more controversial statements regarding PSG’s trio of star players: Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. In the documentary, Enrique had bluntly stated, "If the team with the best players won titles, PSG would have eight Champions Leagues. And they have zero." The comment was a reference to PSG’s ongoing struggle to translate its immense individual talent into European success, despite fielding some of the world’s best players in recent years.
Luis Enrique, who has previously managed Lionel Messi at Barcelona and led the Catalan giants to Champions League glory in 2015, made this comment as part of a broader critique of the notion that individual talent alone can guarantee success. Yet, when asked to elaborate further on the statement during the press conference, he chose not to delve into the details. His reluctance was clear: "I don’t want to go into this any further," he said, drawing a line under the discussion. It was a telling moment that reflected both his respect for the players involved and his wariness of further misinterpretation by the press.
The remark about PSG’s Champions League failures was likely intended to highlight the importance of team cohesion, structure, and strategy over the simple accumulation of star players. Enrique, having experienced success at the highest level with Barcelona, understands the complexity of building a winning team. Despite boasting an attacking lineup that has included Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi, PSG has yet to secure a Champions League title, a fact that has often been used to critique both the club and its players.
For Luis Enrique, the frustrations with the press seem to stem from the challenge of having nuanced views reduced to sound bites. As he navigates the pressures of managing one of the world’s biggest clubs, he is clearly wary of how his words might be spun in the media. While he may wish for a world where he could focus solely on coaching and leave the media circus behind, for now, the demands of modern football leave little room for such luxuries.
As PSG continues its quest for European glory, the pressure on Luis Enrique will only intensify. Yet, despite his occasional clashes with the press, Enrique remains focused on the task at hand: bringing success to PSG, both in France and on the European stage. Whether he will achieve that elusive Champions League victory with his current squad remains to be seen, but for now, his priority is managing the team’s progress while maintaining his often tense relationship with the media.
