Luis Enrique, a passion for English football | OneFootball

Luis Enrique has long been drawn to English football’s intensity despite a playing career rooted in La Liga and a Barça education in positional play.

According to L'Équipe, his admiration is less about style than the wholehearted way the game is played and lived, a temperament that mirrors his Asturian, combative side.

As a player he often fared well against British clubs, scoring in both meetings with Arsenal in 1999, a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou in September, then a 4-2 win at Wembley a month later. He was also shaped by Kevin Moran’s guidance at Sporting Gijon and Sir Bobby Robson’s human touch at Barcelona in 1996-1997.

After retiring in the mid-2000s he slipped into the Kop at Anfield for a Merseyside derby, with tickets from Luis Garcia, and was even recognised by a Reds fan. He sought the same feeling at Celtic Park, joining in You’ll Never Walk Alone among the home support.

As a coach he prepared for England by listening to British football podcasts to sharpen his English and knowledge of the leagues. Talks followed in 2023 with Tottenham and Chelsea, Manchester United monitored him, but he chose Paris Saint-Germain for a project and freedom that suited him.

Since then his Paris side have mixed setbacks with statements, losing at Newcastle in 2023, Arsenal in 2024 and Chelsea at the 2025 Club World Cup, but beating Manchester City, Liverpool twice, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Source: L'Équipe