Luis Enrique fires dig at Xavi over Barcelona’s style of play

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has claimed that he embodies the famous ‘Barcelona DNA’ more than current Blaugrana boss Xavi.

Enrique has been touted as a potential replacement for Xavi at the end of the season, and although the PSG manager has openly admitted he wants to manage Barca again, he has vowed not to walk away from his current club while under contract.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg between the two sides, Enrique was asked whether he feels he is a better fit for Barcelona than Xavi, and he did not shy away from making his feelings known.

“Without a doubt, me,” he stressed. “Look at the possession data, titles, high pressure. Look at the data.

“It is not an opinion, it is numbers, data. It is not debatable.”

Xavi, Luis EnriqueXavi, Luis Enrique

Enrique managed Xavi in 2014/15 / LLUIS GENE/GettyImages

Enrique spent one year, 2014/15, as Xavi’s manager at Barcelona and also played alongside the former midfielder between 1998 and 2004, but he insisted that experience gives him no extra insight into what to expect on Wednesday.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I don’t know Xavi the manager at all,” Enrique insisted. “I know Xavi as a teammate and Xavi as a player.

“I know the club and its players very well, but I don’t know if that is an advantage or a disadvantage. It will be special for me, but I am more than prepared to give my best for my team.

“It’s a different game for me. I’m a professional. I have a relationship of total love with Barca and I am proud, but I am a professional and I owe it to the club that trusted me. I’m really looking forward to this tie.”

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