Ivan Rakitic: FC Barcelona players “shocked” by Luis Enrique departure

“We accept Luis Enrique’s decision”.

Luis Enrique announces that he will not continue as Barcelona manager next season.

Enrique, 46, joined Barca in 2014 and won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles and the 2014-15 Champions League, securing a treble that season.

“It was a very hard decision for me, very well-thought out”, the 46-year-old former Spain worldwide said.

Enrique cited the need for a rest after three years in charge at the Nou Camp.

“As a Barcelona fan, I’m sad that we’ll miss the flawless trainer for Barcelona”. Adobe have made a decision to close down the LiveFyre comments system from 9 March 2017.

But the taciturn boss, who is renowned for playing his cards as close to his chest as possible, was expected to keep everyone guessing until the end of the season, before slipping away into the sunset as quietly as possible once the end of season festivities were out of the way.

“I want to thank club for their confidence, and the players for their dedication and professionalism”.

“They told me there was no hurry to make a decision, but now that moment has arrived”, he said.

Real Madrid visit Basque minnows Eibar without Gareth Bale after the Wales global was sent off against Las Palmas, where two late strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo prevented a second defeat for Zinedine Zidane’s side in three games.

The writing was on the wall following the Catalan giants’ 4-0 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Paris Saint Germain last month.

“We have three exciting months left”, he said.

The list includes Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Everton manager Ronald Koeman and even Arsene Wenger.

There was more than a hint of rumbling discontent in the dressing room.

“The reason is I live my work looking for solutions and it gives me little time to rest”.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu says the search for Luis Enrique’s replacement will be undertaken with discretion, but rumours are sure to fly in the coming weeks about who it will be.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is 20/1, along with Frank de Boer, Oscar Garcia and Pep Guardiola, who only left Barca for Bayern Munich in 2012.

“I said when I renewed my contract, my mind and my spirit are with Real Sociedad”, he told a news conference ahead of Friday’s game against Real Betis.