There’s a new sheriff in town

– “This is my style and I don’t care if you don’t like it,” he said. It was April 2016 and Luis Enrique was asked if he felt sorry for berating a journalist, who had been critical of Barcelona’s fitness levels.

“I have nothing to apologise for,” he shrugged. “I didn’t show anyone a lack of respect.”

Barca’s form had dipped but they won the domestic double a month later, one year after he had led them to the treble in his first season, matching the achievement of Pep Guardiola in 2009.

A year later Luis Enrique would be gone, after winning six of nine major trophies up for grabs, and yet he left the Camp Nou respected more than he was loved.

Now he brings his meticulous, single-minded, dynamic, prickly, all-or-nothing style to the Spain dugout, ready to undergo his first test at Wembley against England tonight.

When the fixture was announced in May, as part of the inaugural Uefa Nations League, few would have expected it to be the visitors confronting questions about style, youth and an underperforming goalkeeper, following a humiliating World Cup exit.

The new coach’s press appearances so far suggest he will carry that same edge felt by the journalist two years ago into international management, and it remains to be seen whether it proves a source of unification or alienation.

“Luis Enrique lays down the law”, read the front-page headline in sports daily Marca on Wednesday, with a new set of rules listed, including a ban on mobile phones, earlier bedtimes, fines for lateness, fewer days off and a streamlined training-ground buffet.

High-pressing, quick transitions and counter-attack have become the buzzwords of club football and it’s felt Spain have been left clinging, out of sentiment or even pride, to a style many opponents have worked out.

Even before Julen Lopetegui was lured away by Real Madrid on the eve of the World Cup, throwing their tournament into chaos, Spain’s preparations had ended with a 1-0 win over Tunisia and a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Only Sergio Busquets and Sergio Ramos remain from the team that triumphed at Euro 2012, with Gerard Pique, David Silva and Andres Iniesta all retiring after the World Cup, and Jordi Alba surprisingly jettisoned from this opening squad.

Luis Enrique’s task is to find the sweet spot between the old Spain and the new. He will not worry who he upsets along the way. –

Madrid