Barcelona: Top 5 candidates to replace Luis Enrique

Enrique on his way out of Barcelona / Image via gettyimages.com

In a news that came as little surprise to many football fans who are well-acquainted with Spanish football, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique announced on Wednesday that he will step down at the end of the season.

The Barcelona head coach revealed his decision in a post-match press conference after his team’s 6-1 beating of Sporting Gijon, claiming he needs to ‘rest’.

Having led the Catalans to Champions League glory as part of the treble success he achieved in his first year at Camp Nou, the 46-year-old tactician follows the same pattern as Pep Guardiola, who similarly decided to take a break from football upon his departure from Barcelona.

In his third season at the helm, Luis Enrique endured the biggest pressure thus far as the Barcelona manager was the one standing in front of the brunt of heavy criticism his side has been subjected to throughout the campaign.

However, Luis Enrique is recognized as a scapegoat by many Barcelona fans who chanted his name during the Leganes match back in February. Deeper reasons for failure to meet the expectations should be looked elsewhere, perhaps within the board members, who face a tough decision in selecting the right man to replace Luis Enrique.

Several names have been already highlighted throughout the media and general public so here is a top 5 list of potential candidates:

Ernesto Valverde

Perhaps a name which does not figure as the top choice in the media, Ernesto Valverde is currently the bookies’ favourite with 2/1 betting odds stacked in his favour.

Former player of Barcelona, who wore the Catalan shirt between 1988 and 1990 is better known for his time with Athletic Bilbao, where he left a deep mark both as a player and as a coach.

The Ant as they call him in affection started his managerial career with Athletic Bilbao working as an assistant manager at first, before taking the reins in 2003. He went to Espanyol, Olympiacos and Valencia after two years in charge of the Basque side, before returning to San Mames in 2013.

Valverde has made his Athletic Bilbao side look rather attractive, with a similar appeal brought in by Marcelo Bielsa and there is a current backing up Valverde to take over and be a success with the star-studded Barcelona side.

Jorge Sampaoli

Sevilla manager stands as another firm favourite both with the bookmakers and the general public, most of all due to his charismatic character and attack-oriented football he is promoting openly wherever he works.

Temperamental Argentine made huge waves with Chile prior to arriving at Sevilla and has been widely regarded as one of the most exciting managers in world football today. The 56-year-old was handed a tough task at Sevilla last summer, as Rojiblancos ended up losing their trophy-laden manager Unai Emery and an entire team of players who followed his through the exit door.

Sampaoli was forced to build from scratch, but refused to give up on his own way which is currently paying dividends. Sevilla are up there with Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the standings, five points behind the La Liga leaders, but Sampaoli’s influence is far more from good place on the table.

He introduced an attractive brand of football, openly-attacking style which is both pleasing and efficient – just like Barcelona love it over there.

Eusebio Sacristan

If Barcelona are to follow the path of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, Eusebio Sacristan fits the profile perfectly as the man who was once a Barcelona B manager.

The only difference to Guardiola and Enrique is that Sacristan is still remembered as a man who angered fans with his team selection and the way he way operating during his time with the B side. La Masia youth products were neglected by the manager, results did not go in his favour as well and the sack was imminent.

Sacristan managed to earn his reputation back with Real Sociedad, who he transformed into an attractive, passing-playing side after the disastrous spell under David Moyes. On the verge of the Champions League spot, Real Sociedad are fighting for glory with the likes of Atletico Madrid and Villarreal and Sacristan really is the one who stands behind the club’s successful year.

Juan Carlos Unzue

Spanish media claim that Unzue is the man Luis Enrique would like to see take over when he leaves at the end of the season.

For those unfamiliar with the name, Juan Carlos Unzue is Enrique’s assistant at Barcelona and the man believed to be with the knowledge and gut to continue Enrique’s work. Unzue had been given a chance to lead the team from the touchline before, in early Copa del Rey clashes for instance, and the Spaniard is already taking care of the tactical aspects of the team’s strategy as per instructions from Luis Enrique.

Unzue would be a logical choice should Barcelona management decided to stick with the known and not seek a break from Luis Enrique’s methodology, which is – in our opinion – highly unlikely.

Arsene Wenger

Believe it or not, the Arsenal boss is among the top three bookies’ favourites to take over at Barcelona at the end of the season.

As much as it sounds unbelievable, there is some good reasoning behind bookmakers’ decision to make Wenger a 6/1 favourite to land the Barcelona gig. One, of course, is the uncertainty over is future at Arsenal since Wenger is yet to sign the new deal with the Gunners.

The French manager spoke openly about his future announcing that he won’t be ending his managerial career at the end of the season, but refusing to pledge his future to Arsenal as it still remains to be seen what the Gunners board will have in mind when the season ends.

North London club are under great deal of pressure, Wenger himself as well, as Arsenal are with one leg out of the Champions League following the 5-1 defeat at Bayern. With hteir top 4 Premier League spot also in danger, there seems to be a chance – bigger than ever – that Arsenal will be another club in search for the new manager at the end of the campaign.

Honourable mentions:

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is also being thrown into the mix and – given his history and decision making which left Southampton scratch their heads – the Dutch legend should not be discarded as the possible candidate.

Another name thrown into the mix in Mauricio Pochettino, but the Tottenham boss is the long-shot mention for Barcelona post. Definitely a man whose style would suit the Catalans will be heavily guarded by Tottenham officials, that is for sure.

Another one of the former Barcelona players, Laurent Blanc – currently unemployed manager – is the underdog on the list, but also a name that should be taken into consideration.

Who do you think is best suited for the Barcelona job?