FC Barcelona’s Luis Enrique confirmed on Wednesday night he will not continue as manager following the on-going season as he looks to ‘take some rest’ from professional football management.
After much speculation in recent months surrounding his Barcelona future, Luis Enrique has cleared the air, stating he will not continue as manager from next season.
The boss has been subject to intense pressure off-late for his side’s poor performance in the league as well as the Champions League, where they have a devastating 4-0 deficit to overturn against PSG.
Therefore, with two of the club’s top-priority trophies slipping away from their grasp, there were rumours that Enrique is unlikely to continue with the job.
Moreover, the 43-year-old has been subject to immense scrutiny in recent months for the tactics, or the lack of it rather, that seemingly relied heavily on the individual brilliance of the Blaugrana’s attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
But following his announcement after his side’s 6-1 demolition of Sporting Gijon, fans responded in appreciation for the Spaniard’s remarkable work for the club.
During his three year stay, Enrique has won 2 league titles, 2 Copa Del Rey trophies and one UEFA Champions League title among others.
BREAKING: Luis Enrique says he will not be the Barcelona manager next season. #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) March 1, 2017
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says he’ll step down at end of the season. In 3 years he’s won 2 titles, 2 Copa del Reys & Champions League
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) March 1, 2017
Please, Cules. Give Luis Enrique a proper send-off for everything he has done for Barca as a player, captain, coach. He deserves it.
— allasFCB (@allas4) March 1, 2017
Luis Enrique is just the second manager in European history (after Guus Hiddink) to win a Treble and follow it with a Double. pic.twitter.com/sRWqyL66K3
— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) March 1, 2017
? @jmbartomeu: “We accept Luis Enrique’s decision. He has been a great a coach. Now is it time to end his spell in the best possible way” pic.twitter.com/9DAqxDmZTC
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 1, 2017
Messi (135), Suarez (110) & Neymar (81) have combined to score 326 goals out of Barcelona’s 465 goals in all comps under Luis Enrique (70%) pic.twitter.com/v40eYBzhaL
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) March 1, 2017
Luis Enrique did excellent work at Barça – though you’ll hear very few say it. Deserves a lot more respect than he’s received. #LaLiga
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) March 1, 2017
Video: Some of Luis Enrique’s best moments #fcblive [fcb] pic.twitter.com/KyyWhvPwKe
— Barcastuff (@barcastuff_real) March 1, 2017
Former colleague and FC Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola also chipped in to share his surprise over his decision and had lofty praises to sing for Enrique’s exploits at the club.
Guardiola: “It’s a sad day, few coaches can do it like Luis Enrique, and for 2 years his club has played like nobody else.” pic.twitter.com/RuJBqNGnmd
— Catalan Edition (@CatalanEdition) March 1, 2017
Guardiola: “For three seasons, Luis Enrique’s team played incredible football. All I can do is thank him for what he did for my team.”
— Barça News Forum (@BarcaNewsForum) March 1, 2017
He may have had a ridiculously talented bunch of players at his disposal but he was the one that overlooked the days when his side played some of the most beautiful and eye-catching football witnessed in recent years.
That is also down to his work behind the scenes and for that reason he will be a club legend in his own right, even if many would refuse to believe it.
Luis Enrique and @FCBarcelona: A winning combination ? pic.twitter.com/jqCEBHdKMX
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 1, 2017
Thanks for everything, Luis Enrique! Hope we finish the season strongly and win the double. A true legend.. pic.twitter.com/4roF86L7DK
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) March 1, 2017
Thank you, Luis Enrique! We’ll always love you!
La Liga ??
Copa del Rey ??
UCL ?
Spanish SC ?
European SC ?
Club WC ?What a legend pic.twitter.com/82yEwCcP8p
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) March 1, 2017
Real Madrid being beaten by Las Palmas at home 1-3… I bet Luis Enrique didn’t expect that when he announced today he is leaving
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) March 1, 2017
Of course, there will now be feverish peculation around the Barcelona camp as to who would succeed Enrique to the hot seat with the likes of Jorge Sampaoli, Ernesto Valverde, Mauricio Pochettino and Max Allegri all linked with the job.
Unzue, Blanc, Sampaoli, Pochettino, Valverde… Barcelona would like next coach to be someone who understands the club.
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) March 1, 2017
I will be very, very surprised if Barcelona don’t go after Jorge Sampaoli now. The perfect fit. Though I can see Valverde going there too.
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) March 1, 2017
Messi winning his third treble with Sampaoli next year pic.twitter.com/IqGgkkNUFS
— JR?? (@GoatJr10) March 1, 2017
Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli favourite for Barcelona job. Said he was first choice for Chelsea job last summer but English not good enough
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) March 1, 2017
Sampaoli fits the style but FCB want a coach that knows the club, can deal with the necessary transition. Ernesto Valverde fits that profile pic.twitter.com/jVxU92XYQE
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) March 1, 2017
As for the future. It’s Sampaoli or bust. Barça must get him. They need a lift, personality wise and on the field. #LaLiga
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) March 1, 2017
Now, I really really want Sampaoli. So bad. I think it would be a step in the right direction for this team. A huge one.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) March 1, 2017
