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Barcelona have set their strategic maneuver in motion as the Catalans aim to bring back Luis Enrique to Spain to replace Xavi Hernandez, Soccernet.football understands.
The watchful eyes of Barcelona are fixed on the situation surrounding Luis Enrique’s tenure at Paris Saint-Germain.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are harbouring hopes of Enrique gracing Camp Nou once again, should he choose not to extend his contract with PSG in 2025.
A legend for Barcelona both on the field and from the dugout, Luis Enrique masterminded the Catalans’ last conquest in the Champions League.
Enrique guided the Catalans to their second treble in 2014/2015, culminating in a triumph over Juventus in the Berlin UCL final.
However, the former Spain international led PSG to send Barcelona packing from this season’s Champions League in the quarterfinals.
Heading into the second leg with a 3-2 aggregate lead following a heroic triumph at the Parc des Princes, Barcelona found themselves 4-2 ahead on aggregate at home. However, a red card for Ronald Araujo precipitated a 4-1 thrashing on the night, allowing PSG to advance to the semifinals with a 6-4 victory.
Despite this setback and relinquishing their La Liga crown to Real Madrid, Xavi Hernandez, Luis Enrique’s former teammate and captain, was permitted to retract his decision to step down on June 30, instead opting to fulfill his contract until 2025.
Coincidentally, this is precisely when Luis Enrique’s contractual obligations with PSG are set to conclude, prompting speculation that he could be Deco’s favoured candidate to assume control at the newly-renovated Camp Nou.
During a Twitch session preceding the PSG vs. Barcelona showdown, Luis Enrique hinted at a potential return to his “home” club, albeit acknowledging the complexities of such a move.
“I’ve always said I’d like to, but the reality is that it’s very challenging to make it happen. They might need a coach now,” Luis Enrique said at a time when it appeared as though Xavi would step aside.
“But I have a rule to honour my contracts and the trust people have in me. I won’t be the one to break that contract. It’s not my style, and I never will,” he vowed.
Moreover, PSG are purportedly keen on extending an offer of renewal to Enrique, potentially dampening Barcelona’s aspirations, should he accept.
