- Title: The favourites to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona
- Date: 2nd March 2017
- Summary: TRONDHEIM, NORWAY (FILE - AUGUST 8, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SEVILLA TRAINING SESSION SAMPAOLI AT TRAINING SESSION BARCELONA, SPAIN (MAY 29, 2015) (REUTERS) ATHLETIC BILBAO COACH ERNESTO VALVERDE ENTERING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHER/ VALVERDE LONDON COLNEY, NEAR LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - NOVEMBER 5, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS
- Embargoed: 16th March 2017 10:40
- Keywords: Barcelona Luis Enrique Arsene Wenger Jorge Sampaoli Ronald Koeman
- Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE / TRONDHEIM, NORWAY / BARCELONA, SPAIN / LONDON COLNEY, LONDON, LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM / MOENCHENGLADBACH, DORTMUND AND LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY / PORTO, PORTUGAL
- City: SANTIAGO, CHILE / TRONDHEIM, NORWAY / BARCELONA, SPAIN / LONDON COLNEY, LONDON, LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM / MOENCHENGLADBACH, DORTMUND AND LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY / PORTO, PORTUGAL
- Country: Various
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA003669O08V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is leaving the Spanish La Liga champions at the end of the season when his contract expires after three trophy-laden seasons at the club.
Luis Enrique made the announcement at a news conference after Barca thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday (March 1) to keep up their bid for a third league title under the management of their former midfielder.
The bookmakers have placed Sevilla coach, Jorge Sampaoli as the favourite to succeed Luis Enrique at the Nou Camp while Ernesto Valverde of Athletic Bilbao is another favourite.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has admitted his future is not clear when his contract expires at the end of the season while his North London rival, Tottenham Hotpsur's Maurico Pochettino is among the top five names along with Everton boss Ronald Koeman who's an ex-Barcelona player.
Another former Barca player, Laurent Blanc is out of work after leaving Paris St Germain at the end of last season. Another coach being linked with the job is Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri.
After Wednesday's win, Barca top the La Liga standings on 57 points, one ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid who have played one game fewer.
Luis 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.
Luis Enrique 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.
The coach was reported to be on the brink of dismissal in January 2015 due to his rocky relationship with Lionel Messi after leaving the Argentine talisman out of the starting line-up. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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