PSG manager Luis Enrique has been named the winner of the Johan Cruyff Award for Best Coach at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
The award caps off a remarkable season in which the 54-year-old guided Paris Saint-Germain to historic success.
Enrique masterminded PSG’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph, ending years of frustration for the capital club in Europe’s biggest competition.
His tactical approach, squad management, and ability to rebuild after the departure of Kylian Mbappé drew widespread praise across the football world.
The Spaniard oversaw an extraordinary campaign in which PSG collected five major trophies. His side lifted the Ligue 1 title, French Cup, French Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and most significantly, the Champions League. That clean sweep made Enrique the clear favourite for the Johan Cruyff Trophy.
While competition was strong, no rival could match Enrique’s achievements. Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Barcelona’s Hansi Flick also won silverware, but the scale of PSG’s dominance under Enrique left little doubt over who deserved the award.
Enrique’s season was not without its challenges. PSG began their Champions League campaign slowly, struggling in the group stage and only just advancing to the knockout rounds. Critics questioned whether the team had enough quality to compete deep into the tournament.
However, as the season progressed, Enrique’s tactics began to shine. PSG knocked out Premier League clubs Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal before reaching the final. There, they produced a stunning performance, defeating Inter Milan 5-0 to secure their maiden Champions League crown.
Beyond the results, Enrique earned plaudits for reshaping PSG into a collective unit. Without Mbappé, who left the club in 2024, he built a more balanced side that combined defensive resilience with attacking flair. Players who had previously struggled for consistency flourished under his system.
Despite nearly sweeping all competitions, PSG fell just short of absolute perfection. They lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea, denying them an additional title. Still, the scale of their domestic and European success ensured Enrique’s place in history.
The Johan Cruyff Trophy recognition underscores Enrique’s reputation as one of the elite managers of his generation. Having previously led Barcelona and Spain, he has now left a lasting mark in Paris with a season few could have imagined.
The PSG manager who was not present for the ceremony said in a video, “Thank you to my family, thank you to PSG. I also want to thank two special people: Nasser Al-Khelaifi [PSG chairman] and Luís Campos [PSG sporting director]. We have a special relationship. A message to my players who are there: it’s nice to win individual awards but I think the most important thing is the recognition of the fans.”
Male nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy
Antonio Conte (Italy, Napoli)
Luis Enrique (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
Hansi Flick (Germany, Barcelona)
Enzo Maresca (Italy, Chelsea)
Arne Slot (Netherlands, Liverpool)
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