PSG celebrated a resounding victory against Manchester City in the Champions League, but media attention quickly focused on a humorous anecdote between striker OusmaneDembélé and his coach LuisEnrique. After Paris' 4-2, Dembélé joked that he would like to extend his vacation, sparking a witty response from the Spanish coach at the October 16 press conference.
In his interview, LuisEnrique first recognized Dembélé’s “boss” character, emphasizing that he could ask for additional days of rest. He added that the player made fun of himself, but admired his passion and positive attitude towards football. “He’s the boss! » he declared, “if the player wants a vacation, he will get one. » The coach, however, recalled that the final decision regarding playing time and recovery remains at his discretion, and that any request must remain reasonable and compatible with the club's requirements.
LuisEnrique took the opportunity to recall his philosophy of workforce management. At a club where the schedule is extremely busy between Ligue 1 and the Champions League, rotation and recovery periods are essential. He explained that although players sometimes want to play all the time, it is impossible to accommodate all requests. “I am always open to giving the players what they want, under normal conditions,” he clarified, before concluding on an ironic note: “Being on vacation means coming to the Campus to train.”
This conversation takes place in the context of PSG's next confrontation against Strasbourg in Ligue 1. While the Parisian team must maintain its rhythm for the upcoming meetings, LuisEnrique remains determined to maintain control of the management of the squad while meeting the individual needs of the players. Dembélé, meanwhile, has shown that he keeps a light-hearted attitude, even when talking about rest, which highlights the importance of cohesion and team spirit within the club.