Andres Iniesta has given his backing to former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique for success at Chelsea, claiming he is perfect for the job.
As reported by Daily Express, Andres Iniesta has had his say on speculation linking Luis Enrique to the Chelsea job ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League tie against the Blues. The Spaniard has claimed that his former Blaugrana boss is perfect for the job at the West London club.
Antonio Conte had delivered instant success at Chelsea in his first season in charge, taking over a side that finished tenth in the previous season before winning the Premier League title in 2016-17. The Blues also reached the FA Cup final, where they eventually lost to Arsenal.
But, there has hardly been anything positive about the current campaign, with Chelsea fourth on the table and with practically no chance of retaining their title. They are out of the Carabao Cup as well, and their have been murmurs of Conte having a fall-out with the club’s board, putting his future at Stamford Bridge under a cloud.
A loss in the Champions League Round of 16 could seal his fate as FA Cup success would become the only real possibility for Chelsea to win a trophy this season. And a former Barcelona manager is being heavily linked with the managerial hot seat at Stamford Bridge – Luis Enrique.
Andres Iniesta says Luis Enrique would be a success at Stamford Bridge ? pic.twitter.com/zACNZ83nvH
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Enrique has been on a self-imposed hiatus since ending his stint with Barcelona at the end of last season – a spell that yielded nine trophies, including two La Liga triumphs and a Champions League. And it was his ability to manage egos while also incorporating the right mix of youth that he was especially praised for.
Those could perhaps, be just the qualities that could have caught the eye as far as the Chelsea hierarchy is concerned. And Enrique’s former charge at Barcelona, captain Andres Iniesta has given his backing to the Spaniard to achieve success at Stamford Bridge, claiming he can take the Blues to extraordinary heights.
“Luis Enrique is an excellent coach. In Barcelona he showed the incredible level he has reached and I think he could win trophies at any club – and that includes Chelsea. It won’t be easy because Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
“The Premier League is a tough competition but, for me, he is capable of managing any big English club. But when you see what Enrique developed in Barcelona, then I think it is also possible in London.”
Iniesta’s words would come as music to the Chelsea fans’ ears, with the club possibly primed for success if Enrique takes over the reigns from Conte in the summer. The Italian’s future remains extremely uncertain, and his inability to win a trophy could spell doom, with the former Barcelona manager taking over.
Enrique, though, is becoming a man in demand, with a few more jobs possibly opening up at the end of the season, and it is looking increasingly likely that he will not be out of job anymore by the time the 2018-19 season commences.
