Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, has revealed that he will quit the club at the end of the season when his contract expires after three trophy-laden seasons at the club.
Enrique, 46, made the announcement at a news conference after Barca thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 at the Nou Camp 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 Liga titles, two King’s Cups and the 2015 Champions League since succeeding Gerardo Martino in 2014.
The Spaniard 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 added.
“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 King’s Cup final but suffered heavy criticism after Barcelona were crushed 4-0 by Paris St Germain in their Champions League last 16 first-leg game two weeks ago.
The ex-Roma boss followed in the footsteps of former team mate Pep Guardiola in leading Barca to the treble in his first season in charge, although his reign has also witnessed turbulent moments.
While he has overseen spectacular football, fired by the prolific attacking partnership of Lionel 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 in midfield.
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.
