Younger football fans will best know Luis Enrique as a manager. He truly made a name for himself at Barcelona, winning a European treble in 2015, helping Lionel Messi claim his final Champions League trophy.
He currently works at Paris Saint-Germain and has proven himself as one of the best coaches on the planet, winning no less than six trophies with the French club across the calendar year of 2025: Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophee des Champions, the UEFA Champions League, the European Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
However, he was also a pretty good footballer back in the 90s, lifting La Liga with both Real Madrid and Barcelona. After retiring in 2004, though, Enrique decided he wanted to make a special pilgrimage to one stadium in England.
Luis Enrique Loved “Very Special” and “Different” Premier League Experience
Speaking ahead of PSG’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Liverpool, the Spanish coach was asked about once visiting Anfield. Thinking it was still a secret, he was actually taken by surprise when the question came up, replying:
“Nice question. How do you know that? I don’t remember the match but it was nice.”
It turned out he’d actually revealed the visit in a past interview. Adding more detail, Enrique then explained how he wanted to experience a game at ‘one of the best stadiums in the world’ as if he were just a normal supporter. And so, with no fanfare, he turned up at Anfield to watch a match:
“I wanted to live as a supporter [at] one of the best stadiums in the world, Anfield. And I enjoyed it a lot, it was different. I got the tickets because Luis Garcia was playing here and he gave me the tickets. It was very nice, very special, very different to what I lived in the past as a player. I enjoyed it a lot.”
Carlo Ancelotti has visited some of the best stadiums in world football – but he praised one British ground as ‘exceptional’.
Funnily enough, former Liverpool player Luis Garcia saw the comment emerge online and replied to it, explaining that the game in question was a derby match against Everton. He said: “It was Everton Luis!! Special match. Great old memories.”
Johan Cruyff Also Wowed By Liverpool’s Home Ground
He famously recalled: “I stood on the pitch at Anfield with goosebumps. Not because I was scared of our opponents but because of the atmosphere. The huge Kop stand where the most fanatical supporters were, and all their singing: Anfield was incredibly impressive.
“I really enjoyed it for 90 minutes, and we played a magnificent game. Even though it was a 2-2 draw, we were in complete control. From that evening English football had captured my heart. I had never seen anything like this – the passion for the game, and how much the fans wanted their team to win, and it made me think that one day I would like to play in England.
“Unfortunately that dream didn’t come to pass because in those days borders were still closed to foreign players. Even today I still think that was a terrible shame.”
While Cruyff never got to play or coach in England, it will be interesting to see if Enrique becomes a Premier League manager. When he does leave PSG, there will certainly be no shortage of English suitors.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will need to strengthen their squad following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi looking to make quick moves in the window to put together a group he thinks can challenge towards the top of the table, rather than the bottom.
Alex Scott enjoyed a fine season for Bournemouth
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
The 22-year-old was a regular starter under Andoni Iraola, only missing the final game of the season, named in the starting lineup for 34 of the 37 other matches in the Premier League. He scored three goals – with another coming in the FA Cup – and made one assist, picking up the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.
GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said last month: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”
However, as time has moved on, it may be that Scott is now available to complete a move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with a report from the Athletic stating that “an extension is seen as unlikely”.
How much Bournemouth will demand to sell Scott
Alex Scott
The Athletic report goes on to state that United have made inquiries as to the cost of a deal, with Scott having just two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast. It is thought Bournemouth would demand around £60million to even consider selling the midfielder who has been described as “elite” by Nigel Pearson, who was his manager at Bristol City before moving to Bournemouth.
Pearson said: “He’s a unique talent. I’ve heard him compared to lots of players, but Alex is just a top-class young player who has a very level head. He will go on to play for England, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He is destination elite.”
Spurs may hold an advantage over United, should they look to pursue a move, given Scott grew up as a Tottenham fan.
Speaking after scoring against Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today. But growing up as a kid, it was definitely a dream for me [to score against Arsenal]. Bournemouth are my team at the minute but I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so as a kid growing up, I would have been really happy with that.”
Kate Mason is joined by Ben Jacobs for a live edition of Market Madness, breaking down the latest chaos in the transfer market and all the biggest stories from across football.
Journalist, author and host of The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Tony Evans, joins live to discuss a huge summer at Liverpool, including:
– Arne Slot’s departure — the right call or too soon?
– Andoni Iraola’s potential arrival
– Where Liverpool’s season went wrong
– Key areas to strengthen and possible transfer targets
Plus, Ben brings the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag.
We also hear from England legend Jill Scott ahead of her Sport Relief challenge, as she reflects on life after football and gives her thoughts on the Lionesses’ chances at the upcoming World Cup.
It’s widely understood that Spanish giants Real Madrid have agreed a contract with Jose Mourinho to become their next manager. Once this news is officially confirmed, it won’t take long before the Portuguese coach starts pushing for some key transfers.
He is set to return to the Spanish capital for the second time in his career, having left way back in 2013, after three seasons in which he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Mourinho spent last season at Benfica, where he went unbeaten in the league, but only finished third.
With Madrid, the 63-year-old arrives at a club in chaos after a trophyless season saw Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggle to deal with the big superstars in the dressing room. Mourinho is unlikely to be concerned by the big egos in the squad. However, one of his first key transfer targets isn’t quite the usual Galactico fans might expect.
Mourinho Wants Relegated Premier League Star
One of the defining dramas of the season for Madrid last season was Aurelien Tchouameni’s dramatic clash with Fede Valverde, which saw the Uruguayan hospitalised and both men fined for their antics. If Mourinho wants to calm the dressing room, he could look to offload one.
Indeed, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez, Mourinho ‘has told’ Real Madrid that he would like the club to sign West Ham United ace Mateus Fernandes this summer. The Hammers need to sell their most valuable assets this summer after being relegated, and the midfielder is of interest to a number of clubs.
Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the former Southampton star in the past few weeks, amid talk that any transfer could cost as much as £80m. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Fernandes.
Rodri Also Linked With Madrid Interest
It’s worth noting that even if Tchouameni stays, Dani Ceballos wants to leave and Madrid are willing to let him go. His contract expires in 2027, so an exit this summer makes sense as they could still bring in a fee for the 29-year-old.
As such, Mourinho will likely want a midfield reinforcement regardless. One other name to be linked, beyond Fernandes, is Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spain international, 29, is heading into the final year of his Man City contract, and it remains to be seen if he will hang around or follow Pep Guardiola out of the exit door.
Reports claim that Mourinho is ‘very keen’ on bringing Rodri to Madrid. That said, having seen their manager depart, the Premier League club will be reluctant to lose another experienced head on the pitch, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones also confirming their exits this summer.
