ENRIQUE TO BID ADIEU AT END OF SEASON
While Luis Enrique won seven trophies as Barcelona manager, he never found acceptance with fans or the players. With the Spaniard announcing his decision to step down at the end of the season, here’s a look at his topsy-turvy ride at Nou Camp.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Enrique had first considered not renewing his contract beyond next summer after a dramatic slide at the end of last season. Barca had exited the Champions League and could only claim a league title on the final day of the season. That dip in form, which saw Barca lose three consecutive league games for the first time in 13 years, was the first sign that the wheels were starting to come off.
BELOW-PAR THIS SEASON
While Barcelona pulled themselves back into title fight with a 6-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon on Wednesday they have been far from convincing this season. Also, their performances have not been inspiring against top-six opponents which had fans baying for his blood. The final nail in the coffin was thrashing at PSG in Champions League which has left them on the brink of an early exit.
FAVOURITES TO REPLACE HIM
Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli (right) and Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde are the two main candidates likely to succeed Enrique.
Sampaoli is seen as the fans' choice while former Barca player Valverde is reported to be favoured by the board. Arsene Wenger has also been linked with the job but he said on Thursday that he has no interest in replacing Enrique.
UNEASY RELATIONSHIP
Enrique’s uneasy relationship with Lionel Messi, nearly cost him his job in January 2015 after the Argentine reacted badly to being left out against Real Sociedad. It has been reported on numerous occasions that the Argentine and Enrique have not been able to forge a relationship like the one Messi shared with Pep Guardiola and then later with Tito Vilanova. In general, Enrique appeared to have little personal connection with his squad. After their defeat against PSG, there was more than a hint of discontent with Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta publicly criticising his tactics.
DIDN’T GET THE CREDIT
Enrique will not be remembered with the same reverence as Guardiola, even though he has delivered a similar trophy haul as his old teammate. President Josep Maria Bartomeu, however, lauded Enrique: "We've had a super coach in the last three years," he declared. "No one can doubt he's one of the best coaches Barcelona have had and who has fit with our ideas."