Paris Saint Germain has decided on Luis Enrique Martínez to replace Christophe Galtier on the Parisian bench. As reported by the newspaper L’Équipe, there are only a few issues left to close and the agreement could be announced in the middle of this week. The French newspaper adds that PSG would have opted for the Asturian after the failed negotiations with Nagelsmann, considering the arrival of Thiago Motta and deciding that the arrival of Xabi Alonso was not feasible as he had a current contract with Bayer Leverkusen.
And, although the former Spanish coach reportedly expressed some reluctance in the first meetings with the Parisian officials, the positions between both parties have advanced “seriously” in the last few hours. In this sense, the French newspaper adds that the Asturian “seems to have evolved in his reflection and is totally willing to replace Christophe Galtier.”
It is also ensured in this version that Luis Enrique is appreciated both by the president of PSG, Nasser al Khelaifi, and by the club’s sports manager, Luis Campos. Both perceive the Asturian as a charismatic and experienced coach, capable of creating a true team game that does not depend on his stars. They also appreciate that Luis Enrique knows what it is to succeed in the Champions League, a competition much missed in Paris and that Luis Enrique won with FC Barcelona in 2015 along with the League and the Copa del Rey.
The maximum continental competition resists a club that has been accumulating disappointments since its project with Qatar began in 2012. It has never won it. The closest he has come to conquering it was with Mauricio Pochettino on the bench for the 2020-2021 season. On that occasion, PSG reached the semifinals after beating FC Barcelona and Bayern along the way, but Guardiola’s City ended their aspirations. The last two years in which PSG had Leo Messi in the squad, they were eliminated in the round of 16. The first year against Madrid. The latter against Bayern Munich.
Before making the appointment of Luis Enrique official, PSG must close the exit agreement with the almost ex-technician Galtier and his coaching staff, who still have a year on their contract. The French sports press has advanced in recent days that this compensation would be around the six million euros after PSG disbursed around 10 million a year ago to dismiss Mauricio Pochettino.
