Luis Enrique is closing in on an elite Champions League milestone - Only a few managers have done it
PSG boss targets rare European achievement as he prepares for another high-stakes Champions League final against Arsenal.
Luis Enrique will go down in history as the man who finally led Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League title after so many failed attempts. The Spaniard now has the chance to join an exclusive group of managers as the French club prepare to take on Arsenal in a second successive Champions League final.
The former Barcelona coach had already won the competition with the LaLiga giants in 2015, at the end of his first season in charge at Spotify Camp Nou. A Barça team containing Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez at the peak of their powers had too much for Juventus in Berlin.
Luis Enrique can now get his hands on the Champions League trophy for a third time, a feat only four managers have achieved previously.
Guardiola, Zidane, Paisley... Luis Enrique?
His old teammate and friend Pep Guardiola was the most recent to do it, with Manchester City’s 2023 win following victories with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
Guardiola followed Zinedine Zidane, who famously led Real Madrid to three successive titles between 2016 and 2018, and legendary Liverpool boss Bob Paisley (1977, 1978 and 1981).
Of course, all trail Carlo Ancelotti, the undisputed Champions League master.
Having already lifted the European Cup twice as a player with AC Milan, the Italian also won the competition twice as a manager with the Serie A giants in 2003 and 2007. He then sparked Madrid’s recent dominance with victory in 2014 and extended it after Zidane’s run with two further triumphs in 2022 and 2024.
Luis Enrique is now one win away from joining one of the most exclusive coaching clubs in world football.
Managers with at least three Champions League victories
- Carlo Ancelotti - 5 (2003 and 2007 with AC Milan, 2014, 2022 and 2024 with Real Madrid)
- Bob Paisley - 3 (1977, 1978 and 1981 with Liverpool)
- Zinedine Zidane - 3 (2016, 2017 and 2018 with Real Madrid)
- Pep Guardiola - 3 (2009 and 2011 with Barcelona, 2023 with Manchester City)
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