Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has revealed he would like to manage Barcelona again one day, just weeks before their showdown in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Enrique played for Barcelona – as well as rivals Real Madrid – during a glittering playing career, before returning to Camp Nou for a spell as manager between 2014 and 2017. He is the last person to have led the men’s team to Champions League glory, triumphing in 2015 with their famous MSN frontline featuring Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
During the March international break, Enrique has started streaming on Twitch again to interact with fans. During a recent livestream, he was asked about the possibility of managing Barcelona in the future with current boss Xavi stepping down at the end of the season.
“I have always said that I would like to, but the reality is that it is very complicated for paths to cross, it is difficult to coincide in time, this summer from what Xavi has said they will need another coach but I have a contract and my rule is to continue and be faithful to the people who trust me,” Enrique admitted.
“Last summer I was available but they had a coach, this summer they need a coach, it’s difficult for it all to line up.”
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona president Joan Laporta claimed he has great respect for Enrique, but they have not held talks about a reunion and he is ultimately hoping Xavi changes his mind to stay at the club.
“Luis is a person that I like very much, he has character, personality, he is very good, I like this type of person,” Laporta said. “But we have not spoken with Luis or anyone because of this respect we have for Xavi.
“I say that whoever wants to come to Barca will have to wait until the end [of the season] because we are not going to touch anything until Xavi makes the decision. If he makes the decision to leave, those who really want to come to Barca will have to wait and will wait. If they don’t wait, nothing happens, we have a solution.”
Enrique’s PSG host Xavi’s Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 10. They will face off in Catalonia on April 16, with the winner facing either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals.
