The Crucial Role of Luis Enrique in Paris Saint-Germain’s Success This Season

This summer marks two years since Luis Enrique took the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, and it’s evident that there has been significant improvement in the club’s performance on the field.

Even prior to arriving in the French capital, Enrique was already well-regarded in the footballing world.

While Pep Guardiola often receives accolades as the premier manager of his generation – possibly the best of all time according to some – it frequently goes unrecognised that Enrique’s managerial record at Barcelona surpasses that of his former teammate.

In terms of statistics, Enrique’s teams scored more goals and conceded fewer, achieved a higher win rate, and secured titles at a comparable pace.

As such, expectations for success at PSG were high, and although the coveted Champions League trophy remains elusive as of now, the Parisiens are undeniably making strides towards that goal, particularly highlighted by their recent performance at Anfield.

So, what has changed?

Firstly, PSG appears to function more cohesively as a team compared to previous seasons dominated by star players.

Enrique is Unlocking Ousmane Dembele’s Potential

Despite having worked with legends like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar during his Barcelona tenure, Luis Enrique has no patience for players who do not prioritise team commitments, swiftly sending any individuals unwilling to contribute packing.

Ousmane Dembele, often involved in disciplinary controversies while at Barcelona, joined the club shortly after Luis Enrique’s departure. Now, with Enrique at the helm, he is undeniably flourishing.

The French World Cup winner is enjoying a stunning season, netting 32 goals across all competitions and providing seven assists.

In comparison, his most prolific season with Barcelona (2018/19) saw him score just 14 goals and provide eight assists.

Dembele has become a central figure in the squad – his goal-scoring record places him just behind Kylian Mbappe and ahead of other icons like Messi and Neymar. However, he’s not indulged like the stars of yesteryear, as Luis Enrique sets a different tone.

On the other flank, Bradley Barcola has emerged as a consistent contributor, tallying 23 goals and 24 assists in only 84 matches.

The speed at which both Barcola and Dembele attack not only proves challenging for defenders but also allows other players, such as Achraf Hakimi (who has five goals and 12 assists this season), to thrive, creating space for a remarkable performer like Desire Doue.

At just 19 years old, Doue has already netted 10 goals and assisted another 11 in the ongoing 2024/25 season, outperforming established players like Marco Asensio and Angel Di Maria.

Dembele, Barcola, Doue, and Hakimi all rank among the top 20 PSG players from 2021/22 onwards in passing statistics, showcasing that their excellence is not solely reflected in front of goal.

For instance, only Marquinhos has completed more passes than Hakimi’s impressive 9,679, with an exceptional 8,667 successful passes, yielding a pass completion rate of 89.5%.

Doué’s confidence is reflected in his passing stats, with 1,277 passes completed in his 41 games for PSG, trailing only Barcola, who has recorded 1,970 despite having played longer for the club (across 84 matches).

The absence of huge names like Zlatan, Mbappe, and Neymar—who previously demanded the spotlight—has allowed Luis Enrique to cultivate a different playing style at PSG, one that is more aligned with achieving success.

This weekend, PSG faces Angers, needing just a single point to clinch the Ligue 1 title, while remaining unbeaten.

With six league fixtures remaining, the Parisiens have the chance to become the first team in French top-flight history to go an entire season without a loss—something they failed to achieve even with their most celebrated stars.

Furthermore, they stand as strong contenders for their maiden Champions League title this year and have already booked a spot in the French Cup Final against Reims.

As for maintaining their unbeaten run, the closest any team has come to being ‘invincible’ in France was Nantes during the 1994/95 campaign, with just one league defeat.

Nantes also holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak in the league from that season with 32 games.

A Bright Future Awaits PSG and Luis Enrique

PSG’s unbeaten streak currently stands at 27 and counting, following a resounding 6-1 victory over Saint-Etienne, which also extended their unbeaten away run in the French top-flight to 38 matches.

This achievement ties them with AC Milan’s European record from Serie A—an unbeaten run that lasted from 1991 to 1993. PSG can surpass this record when they visit Stade de la Beaujoire on April 22 to take on Nantes.

Across the PSG squad, there are success stories emerging, with everyone evidently working towards a common goal.

Relative to predecessors like Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, and Mauricio Pochettino, it seems that the uncompromising approach taken by Luis Enrique has finally prompted club executives to fully back him, reversing a prior trend where star players wielded authoritative power.

Team over self has always been Luis Enrique’s guiding principle, and we’re witnessing the fruition of his exceptional managerial skills unfold in real-time.

Indeed, some might argue that hiring the 54-year-old represents Paris Saint-Germain’s most astute recent transfer decision.