Barcelona players ‘stunned’ with Luis Enrique set to leave after ‘three unforgettable years’

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is leaving the Spanish champions at the end of the season when his contract expires after three trophy-laden years at the club. Enrique made the announcement at a press conference after Barca thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday to keep up their bid for a third league title under the management of their former midfielder. “I would like to thank the club for the confidence they have shown in me, it’s been three unforgettable years,” said Enrique, who has won two Primera Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and the 2015 Uefa Champions League since succeeding Gerardo Martino in 2014. Enrique said he had met with Barca directors Albert Soler and Robert Fernandez before this season to discuss the possibility of not renewing his contract. “They told me there was no hurry to make a decision, but now that moment has arrived,” he said. “This is a very difficult decision for me which I have thought about for a very long time but I think I have to be loyal and do what I think is right.” Barca top the standings on 57 points, one ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid who have played one game fewer. Enrique has also led his team to the Copa del Rey final but suffered heavy criticism after Barcelona were crushed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last 16 first-leg game two weeks ago. Enrique followed in the footsteps of former teammate Pep Guardiola in leading Barca to the treble in his first season in charge, although his reign has also witnessed turbulent moments. The manager was reported to be on the brink of dismissal in January 2015 due to his rocky relationship with star player Lionel Messi after leaving the Argentine forward out of the starting line-up. While he has overseen spectacular football, fired by the prolific attacking partnership of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, Enrique has been criticised for abandoning the team’s style of play perfected by Guardiola which was geared around controlled possession. He bore the brunt of criticism for the harrowing defeat by PSG which has left Barca on the brink of their earliest elimination from the Champions League in a decade. Enrique said he had become exhausted from the constant pressure that comes with the Barca job and needed time out to recover, echoing Guardiola’s words when he stepped down in 2012. Midfielder Ivan Rakitic said he and the rest of the Barca squad were taken aback when Enrique revealed the news to them in the dressing-room. “We knew nothing about it,” Rakitic told Croatian media. “First he told the team about his decision We were left stunned and at a loss for words. We want to end the season successfully and enjoy what is left.” Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also praised the departing manager. “We’re very happy with the work he has done up to now and we have to accept his decision and support him,” he said. “Luis Enrique will leave in the summer and we’ve had a super coach for the last three years,” he said. Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport

Barcelona players ‘stunned’ with Luis Enrique set to leave after ‘three unforgettable years’

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is leaving the Spanish champions at the end of the season when his contract expires after three trophy-laden seasons at the club.