"The club supports me": PSG coach justifies superstar's dismissal

After years as the No. 1, Paris Saint-Germain has dropped its first-choice goalkeeper shortly before the start of the season. Gianluigi Donnarumma is deeply disappointed with the club and coach Luis Enrique, who, however, is trying to explain his decision.

It's not been a good summer for long-serving, long-standing goalkeepers. Although Marc-André ter Stegen has returned to FC Barcelona as captain, he's unlikely to get any playing time after his injury. Paris Saint-Germain has also opted for a new contract – even though Gianluigi Donnarumma's saves contributed significantly to the French capital club's first Champions League win last season. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old has now effectively been shown the door.

Coach Luis Enrique has now said that this step of removing the Italian national team's number 1 was not an easy one: "These decisions are always difficult to make. I can only speak positively about Donnarumma. Gigio is undoubtedly one of the best players in this position. He is even a better person, but we were looking for a different type of goalkeeper," said the Spaniard before the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN and in the live ticker at ntv.de) in Udine.

Enrique dropped Donnarumma from the squad after PSG signed Lucas Chevalier from Lille for €40 million. "My goal is to improve the team. It's my decision, and the club supports me," added Enrique.

Donnarumma, who has been with PSG since 2021, had already bid an emotional farewell to the Champions League winners on Tuesday evening. "Someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the team and can no longer contribute to the team's success. I am disappointed and sad," the 26-year-old wrote on Instagram. "Someone" likely refers to Enrique.

Donnarumma continued, "I hope I have another opportunity to look the fans in the eye at the Parc des Princes and say a proper goodbye." Should that not be possible, "I would like to let you know that your support and affection mean a great deal to me and I will never forget them." The top goalkeeper is said to already be on the list of Manchester United and Chelsea FC.