Al-Khelaifi denies Luis Enrique's departure

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was visibly pleased with his team’s dominant 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

This result came as a much-needed boost for the Parisians, who had been struggling in the competition. With goals from Gonçalo Ramos and Nuno Mendes both Portuguese players PSG secured the crucial win, giving them a fighting chance to advance further in the tournament. However, the victory was bittersweet as Nuno Mendes had to leave the pitch with an injury, adding an element of uncertainty to an otherwise positive night for PSG.

In his post-match comments, Al-Khelaifi took the opportunity to address the growing speculation regarding the future of PSG’s manager, Luis Enrique. Recent reports from the French media had suggested that there could be tension in the PSG locker room, leading to rumors that Luis Enrique might be on his way out. However, the president was quick to shut down these rumors, insisting that the club is fully committed to the Spanish coach and that their collaboration is a long-term project. “Luis Enrique will stay with us,” Al-Khelaifi confirmed. “We are building a long-term project with him, and he knows that. He is a very good coach... we have the best coach in the world.”

This strong endorsement from the president came as a relief to many PSG fans, who have seen their team’s performance under Luis Enrique fluctuate. The club's management is clearly confident that Enrique’s experience and tactical acumen will help PSG achieve their goals, both domestically and in European competitions. Enrique, who took charge of PSG in the summer, still has a long-term contract with the club, which runs until 2027, giving him ample time to build the team to his liking.

The victory against Red Bull Salzburg also provided some much-needed respite from the team's disappointing run in the Champions League group stage. PSG is currently in 24th place in the standings, a precarious position that has placed their qualification for the knockout stages in jeopardy. With just seven points from six matches, PSG must win their remaining two games to secure a spot in the round of 16. Al-Khelaifi acknowledged the importance of this victory but maintained a cautious optimism moving forward. “It was a very important, decisive game,” he said. “The victory was crucial to continue in the Champions League. We played well, scored, and all of this will give us a lot of confidence for the future. This game gave hope to everyone, and in football, if you don’t score, it’s difficult, but I’ve always been confident.”

The importance of this win was not lost on Al-Khelaifi, who emphasized that the team must keep its focus as the Champions League campaign continues. “The last two games [of the group stage] will be finals, everyone knows that,” he pointed out. PSG's remaining fixtures will be pivotal, and they will face some tough challenges in their bid to secure qualification. Looking ahead, the Parisian club will host Manchester City at the Parc des Princes on January 22, a clash that is expected to be crucial in determining PSG’s fate in the competition. Following that, they will visit Stuttgart on January 29, where another important result will be necessary to keep their hopes alive.

In addition to the Champions League, Al-Khelaifi is also focused on PSG’s performance in Ligue 1, where they are looking to maintain their position at the top of the table. The club has been dominant domestically in recent years, but with the challenges they have faced in Europe, there is a sense of urgency to improve their performances and make a serious push for continental glory.

Despite the injury to Nuno Mendes, who was forced to leave the match in the second half, PSG’s president remained optimistic about the team’s prospects. “We have to wait and see how he’s doing,” Al-Khelaifi said. “But I am confident that we have the depth in our squad to handle these situations.” The club will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Mendes' condition as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.

This win over Salzburg has given PSG renewed hope in their pursuit of European success. However, with a challenging path ahead in both the Champions League and Ligue 1, the pressure is on for Luis Enrique and his team to deliver. Al-Khelaifi’s continued support of Enrique, despite the rumors and challenges, demonstrates the club's long-term vision and belief in their manager’s abilities. The coming weeks will be critical for PSG, as they aim to navigate both domestic and European competitions with the goal of achieving success on both fronts.