Exclusive: Real Madrid want Luis Enrique as their new manager

Cameron Smith

• 9 Apr 2026 12:30 BST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Real Madrid want to appoint Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique as their next permanent head coach, FootballTransfers understands.

Alvaro Arbeloa was placed in charge by Los Blancos following the departure of Xabi Alonso by mutual consent in January and he oversaw an impressive 5-1 aggregate win over Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 in March.

Real Madrid refused to confirm whether Arbeloa was appointed as a permanent manager or in an interim capacity, but it’s believed that a review of his position will take place after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

Furthermore, we have been told that president Florentino Perez is already attempting an ambitious swoop for Enrique ahead of this summer.

The 55-year-old guided PSG to their first ever Champions League triumph last season and they are among the favourites for the title yet again this term following an 8-2 win over Chelsea in the last-16 and an eye-catching quarter-final first-leg display versus Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid want to hire Luis Enrique

Enrique is regarded as one of the best tacticians in European football and FootballTransfers can confirm that Real Madrid are keen to lure him to the Bernabeu ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The former Spain national team boss is one of very few people to have crossed the Clasico divide during his playing career and he could follow suit in a managerial capacity if Los Blancos are successful in their pursuit.

Enrique spent five years at Real Madrid, after arriving from boyhood club Sporting Gijon, but he was sold directly to Barcelona in 1996 after failing to establish himself as a key player at the Bernabeu.

He later scored five times against Los Blancos during an illustrious spell at Camp Nou, before beginning his managerial career with the Blaugrana. Enrique spent three years as Barcelona B head coach and after short spells at AS Roma and Celta Vigo, he was then appointed as Barcelona manager in 2014.

Enrique guided the club to a treble during his first season in charge and he won a total of nine trophies across a three-year stint in charge at Camp Nou.

Despite his ties to Barcelona, we have been informed that Real Madrid have earmarked him as a top target for the head coach role, and we understand that PSG have identified the aforementioned Alonso as a potential replacement if Enrique opts to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.

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