Paris Saint-Germain claimed the UEFA Super Cup after a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, marking another final win for manager Luis Enrique. This success at the start of the new season adds to Enrique’s notable record in major matches.
The recent triumph brings Enrique’s total to 17 wins out of 20 finals as a manager, a statistic highlighted by France’s RMC. His journey of winning finals began on May 30, 2015, when his Barcelona side defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Copa del Rey final. During his two-year tenure at Barcelona, Enrique led the team to seven titles, including the Champions League.
His only defeat in a final during his time at Barcelona came against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup in August 2015, following a 4-0 first-leg loss and a 1-1 draw in the return match. A period with the Spanish national team saw no silverware, including a 2-1 loss to France in the UEFA Nations League final on October 10, 2021.
Enrique’s success in Paris
Since taking charge of Paris Saint-Germain, Enrique has continued his strong performance in finals, contesting 11 and winning 10. His sole defeat with the French club was a 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13, 2025.
Following that setback, Paris Saint-Germain has returned to winning ways. They secured a victory over Tottenham on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, then overcame Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup, Marseille in the French Super Cup, and Arsenal in the Champions League final. The recent win against Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup further extends this run.
Enrique is now in his fourth season with Paris Saint-Germain, continuing to build on his impressive managerial statistics. His first Champions League success as a manager with Barcelona saw him celebrate on the pitch with his youngest daughter, Xana. Years later, after his first Champions League triumph with Paris Saint-Germain, he dedicated the victory to his late daughter, stating she was with him “spiritually.”
Motivation and personal connection
Enrique’s personal journey has also shaped his determination. In June 2019, he stepped down from his role as manager of the Spanish national team due to urgent personal matters. Two months later, he revealed that his daughter Xana had passed away at the age of nine after a five-month battle with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
Despite the tragedy, Enrique has maintained a positive outlook, reflecting on the nine years he spent with Xana. He stated, “We will miss you a lot but we will remember you every day of our lives with the hope that one day in the future we will meet again. You will be the star that guides our family. Rest in peace, Xanita.” This sentiment was echoed by Paris Saint-Germain fans who unfurled a tifo featuring Xana to celebrate their manager after the club’s 5-0 victory over Inter Milan.
Enrique expressed his emotion regarding the tribute, noting, “I’m very happy. It was very emotional at the end with the banner from the fans for my family. But I always think about my daughter. It means a lot. It’s so nice, but I don’t need to win the Champions League to remember my daughter. My daughter is always with us.”
The manager’s focus remains on competition and improvement. He views past titles as history and is driven by the desire to keep winning. His approach involves convincing players rather than simply commanding them, aiming to explain the game in the simplest way possible. Enrique’s career includes a total of nine trophies in the last two seasons, including consecutive Champions League titles.
Source: goal.com
