With the news of Luis Enrique set to sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United may count themselves lucky from a financial standpoint.
The Spaniard’s current contract ends in 2027, but the French club are keen on keeping him at the club beyond that. Enrique was a big-name target that the Red Devils were looking at to appoint at the end of the season.
Although not yet official, a contract renewal would effectively remove Enrique from contention. Currently, the search has narrowed to a two-man shortlist featuring Julian Nagelsmann and interim manager Michael Carrick.
New Deal At PSG
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Luis Enrique is nearing a new contract that would crown him the highest earner in Ligue 1. The PSG manager currently takes home €1m per month, but his new deal will reportedly be worth €20 million a year. This salary would see his earnings surpass the club’s top-paid player and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.
Lyon’s Paulo Fonseca follows him as the league’s next highest earner, yet he brings in just €350,000 per year in comparison. It is a distinct gap which shows the financial stronghold that PSG have over the rest of the league.
Enrique recently reacted to the reports which leaked his current salary. He said: “Do you think the players care about my salary? I think talking about this is out of place. Yes, I’m one of the highest-paid coaches in the world, and that’s good for me.”
He has every right to earn the salary that he does. The 55-year-old is one of only two football managers in history to win the European treble with two different clubs. Having achieved it at Barcelona in his first season at the club, he did so again with PSG in 2024/25. It broke the curse under the Qatari consortium in bringing the Champions League trophy to Paris.
Carrick Emerges as Cost Saving Option
The recent dismissals of Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag have cost Manchester United nearly £37m in severance. This massive expenditure feels hypocritical to the fans. This is because INEOS have enforced cost-cutting measures, including staff redundancies and hikes in ticket prices in recent seasons.
Massive payouts for underperforming managers have created a financial imbalance, combined with on-pitch failures in recent seasons. It has trickled its way in creating barriers for recruitment. Money was said to be tight in last summer’s transfer window as a result.
To prevent a third consecutive sacking, the hierarchy may pivot toward Carrick as a ‘safe’ option. Hiring the former Middlesbrough manager allows the club to appoint someone whose career pinnacle would be leading United. As a former midfielder at Old Trafford, his appointment leans into the emotional element whilst being cost-effective at the same time.
Perhaps even over Nagelsmann, Enrique is arguably the only candidate worth a premium investment. His track record of being a serial winner and transformer at elite clubs is evident. United fans were excited at the prospect of this appointment, given he has never managed in England before. If the Spaniard is truly out of reach, United can find silver linings in hiring Carrick who has only lost one game in interim charge.
