dailymail.co.uk

PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi makes his position on Luis Enrique clear

PSG have taken just four points from five Champions League games this season

Luis Enrique's future as manager has been questioned by sections of the media

LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins It's All Kicking Off! to explain whether Pep Guardiola will have money to spend in January

By ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Published: 12:29 EST, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 12:29 EST, 4 December 2024

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has expressed his shock at the speculation regarding the future of manager Luis Enrique.

Enrique has been in charge at the Parc des Princes since July 2023 and has so far won 63.38 per cent of his 71 games with the French club across all competitions.

Last season he led PSG to victory in the Trophee des Champions, Coupe de France and Ligue 1.

After 13 rounds of fixtures this season, PSG look well placed to win another Ligue 1 title as they are currently unbeaten domestically and sit seven points clear of their nearest rivals.

However, things are not going as well in Europe. PSG have only taken four points from a possible 15 in the Champions League this season.

With just three matchweeks to go, Enrique's men are down in 25th place in the Champions League's new mega table - which would not be enough to qualify for the knockout phase.

Luis Enrique's position as PSG manager is under pressure, according to multiple reports

But PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi said he 'can't believe' what has been written' about Enrique

PSG kicked off this season's Champions League campaign by beating Girona 1-0. But they have since lost to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, while they could only draw at home to PSV Eindhoven.

This poor showing has led some critics to question whether Enrique is the right manager for the job at PSG.

However, Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that he is still backing the 54-year-old former Barcelona boss.

Speaking to L'Equipe, Al-Khelaifi said: 'I can't believe what is being written [about Enrique] and I even find it ridiculous, but we won't let it affect our football at all.'

He added: 'We have a short, medium, and long-term strategy and I have full faith in the manager, in the players, and in all of our team.'

Next up for PSG is a trip to Auxerre on Friday.

But much of the focus is already on their next European engagement, which is away at RB Salzburg next Tuesday.

That will be PSG's final Champions League game of 2024.

PSG have lost to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich in Europe so far this season

But Al-Khelaifi is backing Enrique despite PSG's poor form in the UEFA Champions League

They will complete their league phase campaign in January with a home clash with Manchester City followed by a trip to Stuttgart.

Enrique's current contract with PSG is due to expire in June 2025.

However, it has been widely reported that an agreement is already in place to see him extend that deal by a further two years.

PSG reached the semi-finals in last season's Champions League before being beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Borussia Dortmund.

Read full news in source page