Barcelona coach Luis Enrique to quit at end of season

“It’s been three unforgettable years”.

The Spanish coach stated this after the La Liga game where his side defeated Sporting Gijon 6-1 on Wednesday night. They gave me the chance to coach the reserve team.

“I think we can turn [the tie] around and if the stars are in our favour we can go through”.

“The reason is the way in which I live this profession”, Enrique added.

Messi also hit the bar from a trademark free-kick before the five-time World Player of the Year was rested for the final half hour as he was replaced by Andre Gomes. “After this season it will be good for me to get some rest”.

The new manager must rebuild, so will he do that by putting players around Messi, who will be 30 in June, or could the unthinkable actually happen with the Argentine forward being sold to bankroll a new start?

Suarez told Barcelona’s official website: ‘It has surprised us a little, we didn’t expect it but it is an understandable decision and one that we accept.

It is also understood that Enrique’s decision will have no impact on the current contract talks between Messi and the club.

A former club of Luis Enrique’s, Celta Vigo are fitting opponents for his first game since announcing his plans to end his trophy-laden spell at Barca, although the Galicians have proved hard opponents for him in recent years. Because although many have been critical of the Asturian’s style, a coach is employed first and foremost to win major trophies and in that respect, Luis Enrique has delivered emphatically. He has been a great a coach. The club have tended to lean towards hiring those who have a history with them, such as Luis Enrique, Guardiola and Vilanova. “The players are motivated to make sure that happens”.

Messi, whose late heroics brought Barcelona a key 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid over the weekend, turned in a nonchalant header over an onrushing goalkeeper to open the scoring early in their La Liga midweek clash.

The conclusion has merely been precipitated by a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain two weeks ago that leaves the Catalans needing a historic comeback in next week’s second leg to avoid elimination from the Champions League at the last 16 stage for the first time in 10 years. “That’s the main reason why I am not going to continue”. “I wish him the best as a fan, a member of Barcelona”.

Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? But those three aside, Luis Enrique can count on a full bill of health as he prepares for the visit of his former club.