Luis Enrique has announced he will not be Barcelona’s head coach next season. The former Spain midfielder has been Barcelona boss since May 2014 and is in the final year of his contract.
Barcelona wrote on Twitter: “BREAKING NEWS: @LUISENRIQUE21 an-nounces he will not continue as Barca manager next season.”
Enrique has won eight trophies since taking charge, including the Champions League. He initially signed a two-year deal before agreeing a one-year extension at the end of a first season in which he won the treble.
The 46-year-old made the announcement after his side’s 6-1 win over his first club Sporting Gijon last night.
Luis Enrique told reporters: “I would like to thank the club for the confidence they have shown in me, it’s been three unforgettable years.”
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu had spoken of his wish to keep Enrique, but now he must look for a new boss.
The news will immediately ignite speculation over who will succeed Enrique at the Nou Camp. Sevilla’s former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli is among the early favourites for the role.
Everton’s former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman is another who has been linked with the job.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously been linked with Barca.
There are likely to be no shortage of other candidates, with Arsene Wenger among them.
Arsenal boss Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and says he will still be in management even if he leaves the Gunners when his current contract expires at the end of this season after 20 years in charge.
Bartomeu said on Barcelona’s official Twitter: “We accept Luis Enrique’s decision. He has been a great coach. Now is it time to end his spell in the best possible way.
“Luis Enrique has brought us great success and he can still bring us more. The players are motivated to do it.”
Yesterday, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar each scored as Barcelona thrashed basement club Sporting Gijon to banish any lingering doubts about their recent stuttering form.
Barca were 2-0 up after 11 minutes through Messi and a Juan Rodriguez own goal. Relegation-threatened Sporting pulled one back after 21 minutes through Carlos Castro, but Suarez restored the two-goal lead before half-time.
Paco Alcacer added a fourth within four minutes of his half-time introduction in place of Suarez.
And Neymar struck his first home league goal of the campaign, in his 10th game at the Nou Camp, as Barca made it five before Ivan Rakitic added a late sixth.
Real Madrid were playing Las Palmas in a late kick-off, yesterday.
Primera Liga
Barcelona vs Sporting Gijon - 6-1
Osasuna vs Villarreal 1-4
Celta Vigo vs Espanyol - late
Granada vs Alaves - late
Real Madrid vs Las Palmas - late