adminMADRID. — When Luis Enrique was hired as Barcelona boss just over a year ago his challenge was a daunting one; to bring back the glory years of Pep Guardiola.
Fast-forward 12 months and Enrique has not for the first time in his career followed in Guardiola’s footsteps by landing the treble: Saturday night’s 3-1 defeat of Juventus added the Champions League to La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs.
Enrique succeeded Guardiola as Barca captain in his playing days in the 1990s and as Barca B coach when the Bayern Munich boss took the top job at the Camp Nou in 2009.
Yet, they took different routes to delivering Barca’s two best seasons in a storied 115-year history.
Whereas the fiercely proud Catalan Guardiola was loved not only for winning, but imposing a style of play that saw many round the world hail his side as the best in the history of football, Enrique has had to overcome doubts and dressing room revolt before ending the season on top.
Even now he has doubts about his future.
After leaving star duo Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench for a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad and January, Enrique was rumoured to be on the verge of the sack.
In the week following the Sociedad defeat he saw a trusted ally in sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta sacked and another former teammate Carles Puyol walk out on the club in solidarity with Zubizarreta.
A stubborn character who once turned his back on Real Madrid to cross Spanish football’s great divide, the 45-year-old appears not to have forgotten that criticism as he has ruled out leaving the club.
“The truth is I don’t know if I will continue,” he said.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu called club elections for this summer when under pressure in January. And whether it is he or a new face in charge of the club come July is likely to influence Enrique’s decision.
“It has been a difficult year and I’m very thankful to the people who have believed in me. — AFP.
Online Reporter