He has disappeared from the French media landscape since 2023 and his departure from OL. For almost two seasons, Laurent Blanc has been happy with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Arrived to reverse the domination of the giant al-Hilal in the country, the French technician succeeded, with the help of the French Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté and Moussa Diaby (but also the Algerian Houssem Aouar) recovered the title of champion of Saudi Arabia.
Laurent Blanc Happy for PSG
What allow him to have a solid reputation on the continent. Currently in full summer preparation in Portugal at Algarve, the former PSG coach has granted an interview for the Catalan daily life Sport. And he did not escape questions about PSG, which he led for three years, on the victory in the Champions League, but also on Luis Enrique whom he knew at Barça as a player. According to him, the Parisian coronation is logical and rewarded the determination of President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.
“If I was happy with the coronation of PSG?” Many, because when I was there, the main objective was to win the European Cup, and everyone said that PSG would never win it, that it was not worth investing so much money. I had a completely opposite opinion. I said to them, “No, I think you are wrong”. Many people, not only in the press, but also among football experts, so-called experts, said they would never win the Champions League, that if they did not win it with Messi, Mbappé, Neymar … I told them that if they continued to invest, sooner or later they would win it. And that's what happened. And it may not be over yet. Maybe they will win it again because they invest a lot, they engage excellent coaches ”he launched before confiding in the role of Luis Enrique.
The tribute to Luis Enrique
“Due to the previous setbacks, they changed their policy: recruiting fewer players and playing as a team. Luis Enrique is a very demanding guy. He must be even more so with his players than with himself. And it was. He could play all positions: right back, right winger, midfielder, defender, attacker. It was the guy who scored goals, defended, attacked … he was very good. Now he also advocates a game of possession, the will of ball, movement and competition. It is his vision of the game. I can only agree and share it. He is also courageous. »» In the process, the former coach of the Girondins de Bordeaux also gave his opinion on the best teams in Europe at the level of the game. And he has a clear opinion.
“It is always more or less the same entertaining teams. I know coaches who advocate an offensive game, and I prefer to see a team like that, which takes risks, rather than a team that defends. Everyone has their own vision. Watching PSG this year was very interesting. And Barcelona too! When I look at the Champions League semi-finals between Barça and Inter, two diametrically opposite teams, where there is a team that creates the game, which marks, I realize that the team that only defends brand four goals in Barcelona … What a pleasure! We arrive at the end of the match and we say to ourselves: “Damn, I had a great time, I saw goals, I saw beautiful actions, I saw a goalkeeper who made stops and a right winger (Lamine) who made extraordinary things from the left foot. There has also been Manchester City, which has enchanted us for many years. ” This is clear.
