PSG boss Luis Enrique hoping to make history after signing contract extension

PARIS – Luis Enrique was delighted to have been given a two-year extension with Paris Saint-Germain as the manager wants to make history with the French champions.

Key players Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha have also extended their contracts.

Spaniard Enrique, who arrived at PSG in 2023, expressed his gratitude for the trust the club have placed in him and said he is motivated to leave a legacy in Paris.

“From Day 1 the club has put everything at our disposal and the support only makes me want to continue working and improving. We want to make history here as a coaching staff,” he said following PSG’s 4-1 win over AS Monaco in Ligue 1 on Feb 7.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but when you feel comfortable where you are and you feel the trust of those around you, why set limits for yourself?

“I am very happy for that support. I hope to repay it with hard work, I don’t know if with results.”

Meanwhile, Enrique denied that PSG’s latest convincing victory, which keeps them unbeaten with a 13-point lead at the top of the league standings, was the best of their season so far and said it was difficult despite the scoreline.

“I don’t think we had our best game. I didn’t like the last 10-15 minutes. We didn’t take the ball away from Monaco and we had some difficulties,” he said.

“The first half was very even. It was difficult to put pressure on them. In the second half we were able to do more damage and in the end we deserved the victory, but it was very difficult as always against Monaco.”

Vitinha’s opener and Ousmane Dembele’s second-half brace and a goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sealed the win.

With the score at 1-1 at the break, it was PSG’s new signing Kvaratskhelia who put the hosts ahead with his first goal for the club after brilliantly cutting inside a defender in the box in the 54th minute.

“I wanted the first goal to come quickly. I’m the happiest person in the world today,” the former Napoli winger said. “I have to keep working hard to score more goals for this incredible team. I’m very proud to be here with this club.”

Enrique and his PSG side will now turn their attention to the Champions League knockout play-offs, where they face fellow Ligue 1 side Brest on Feb 11.

While a slow start to their European campaign meant the Parisians missed out on securing an automatic spot in the last 16, the coach said the struggles had strengthened them in their quest for a coveted first Champions League title.

“We’ve been through it all, all those delicate moments where only our fans believed in us are wonderful right now because they have given us maturity in a young team,” Enrique added.

“We will never stop fighting. That is our goal this season – to fight until the last minute of every competition to try to make history.” REUTERS, AFP