Luis Garcia Enrique the current Spanish PSG boss is in his second year at the Parisian giants, they have won multiple trophies in his first season, a domestic treble and also reached the champions league semi finals losing to Dortmund a remarkable result within a short time but the subject header is still valid at this point which is, what is wrong with Enrique and PSG?
A question that is justified as a result of the glorious demands placed on both coach and players by the new ownership, the vision for this club was for them to capture the elusive champions league and dominant Europe, it is the major reason for capturing Enrique one of the most sought after coaches in Europe.
The very Beginning.
PSG was founded in the 70s with the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint Germain, they won the French cup their first title 12 years later and the league 4 years later, the transformation in the 21st century in the eleventh year when QSI took over after acquiring the major shares at the club.it became a home of several super stars a continuation from the past that has also provided renowned stars, on the playing field they have been consistent especially in Europe, regulars in the European league then the champions league.Their roll call of players had Bats, Rocheteau, Rai, Ginola, Djorkaeff,Le Guen,Roche,Ronaldinho and Weah both Ballon D’Or winners,Okocha, Arteta( a lot of people are not aware,)to the recent signings of Verratti,Ibrahimovic,Beckham,Cavani,Thiago Silva,Neymar,Buffon,Ramos,Mbappe and Messi, currently they have Donnarumma, Dembele and Ruiz. not surprising they are the most successful club from France, with the most records for Ligue 1 titles with 12, Coupe de France with 15,Coupe de la Ligue with 9 and also the trophee Des Champion with13 and the only winner of the defunct winners cup, naturally their trophy haul is the most with 51. The Ownership led by the QSI chairman and Club President Nasser Al-Khelaifi needed more, a standard had been sent from the past, the Real Madrid team of the sixties with the modern galácticos lighting the stage this century, slightly before then another ambitious takeover happened in Milan with AC Milan dominating Europe in the late eighties and early nineties and then in the twenty first century, Burlesconi was the master mind with his financial war chest a catalyst, in England Chelsea and Manchester City were the leading lights an example on how to win the coveted champions league within a relatively short period of time and Paris needed to be part of this attractive and exciting history, more stars were plucked from the dazzling pitches of other illustrious clubs and academy with the peak when the most exciting trio this century were assembled upfront Mbappe the most sought after youngster in international football and 2018 world cup winner, Neymar brought for a world record fee that still stands until today both are the most expensive signings in modern football and the greatest player of his generation and arguably of the others,Lionel Messi, he won the world cup as their player and has the most titles of any player in football history, logically it made sense to replace Cavani the then record goal scorer for PSG and the ever consistent Ibramovich and even the record assist maker Angel Di Maria for a combination of Messi and Neymar, the duo were aptly supported by Uruguay’s finest Luis Suarez to win Barcelona’s second treble in 2015, several years later,it made more sense to hire the coach that was responsible for such outstanding feat in the person of Enrique to tinker the team afterwards.
At eye level or hindsight which ever way to look at it,expectations were sky high, the stars in personal were indeed twinkle twinkle shining stars,super stars already made, in peak condition but unfortunately, the reality that football is not played in the sky sank in, and everything came crashing down to earth.
Again it sank in, lesson learnt, something else was needed for success to become possible, apart from money, star players and coaches, timing and a manifestation of the elements into a transformative combination was a necessity for victory. team productivity and sound strategy then fortune or luck was also needed. with everything to gel and click into results at the season defining stages of the champions league irrespective of the opposition and venue or any other circumstance. such factors must be more than whatever the opponents will put up. this will guarantee victory at all times. the gold standard for success.
A rebuild was started with Dembele, Barcola and now Kvaratskhelia a modest attempt to copy what works, budding stars with less ego not yet at peak condition, yet to be saturated with so much success and a coach that have the pedigree to make it happen.
is there any thing wrong with PSG and Enrique? time will certainly provide the answer,this season, after getting close to getting knocked out from the revamped champions league with losses to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich they bounced back with their most notable victory from a two goal deficit, they scored four past an off color Manchester City led by Guardiola, former team mate at international and club level and co winners of Barcelona`s double treble winning feats, another club renowned for consistent success, it was a morale boosting win followed by another four goals as against one conceded to the Germans, Stuttgart and a promising knockout encounter against French counterparts Brest, back home,they have a very healthy ten point lead against their rivals Marseille and only team from France to win the champions league in 1991. it will offer them an opportunity to concentrate more in Europe to achieve their major target, this insatiable quest for success is justified and tenable with the red hot Dembele setting a record of his own with two back to back hat tricks in wins against Stuttgart and Brest within three days.it must be stated the sky is not the limit.this team has everything to do well, time is on their side. every club that dominates their league will certainly conquer Europe. history has shown the way, PSG are doing all that is needful.
