Coach Luis Enrique to leave Barcelona next season

The former Spain midfielder has been Barcelona boss since May 2014 and is in the final year of his contract.

Barca have won eight trophies out of a possible 10 since Enrique succeeded Gerardo Martino as boss. Barca won the Champions League as part of a first-season treble.

But the 46-year-old's position has been under scrutiny since Barca lost 4-0 at Paris St Germain in the Champions League last-16 first leg last month.

Enrique announced his decision after Barcelona's 6-1 LaLiga win over Sporting Gijon which keeps his side in contention for his third championship title.

Enrique said in quotes reported by AS.com: "It's a very difficult decision for me, one I've thought about a lot, but I think I need to be true to myself and fair to my way of thinking.

"In the pre-season I had a meeting with Albert Soler (Barca's director of professional sports) and Robert Fernandez (Barca's technical secretary) where I mooted the possibility that I might not renew my contract.

"They told me there was no rush to take the decision. That moment has arrived. I'm announcing it.

"The reason is I live my work looking for solutions and it gives me little time to rest.

"I'll need a rest and that's the main reason. I'd like to thank the club for the confidence they've shown in me over my time (here).

"They gave me the chance to coach the B team, I did that, and these three years have been unforgettable.

"I thank the club for all the support and professionalism and I'm not forgetting there are still three incredible months to go."

Enrique expressed optimism that Barca can overturn the deficit to PSG.

"I think we can turn (the Champions League tie) around and if the stars are in our favour we can go through.

"Maximum effort and nothing more. The moment to say goodbye as the club deserves will come."

He initially signed a two-year deal before agreeing a one-year extension at the end of a first season in which he won the treble.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu had spoken of his wish to keep Enrique, but now he must look for a new boss.

The news will immediately ignite speculation over who will succeed Enrique at the Nou Camp.

Sevilla's former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli is among the early favourites for the role, alongside Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde.

Everton's former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman is another who has been linked with the job.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously been linked with Barca and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone could also be interested.

There are likely to be no shortage of other candidates, with Arsene Wenger among them.

Arsenal boss Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and says he will still be in management even if he leaves the Gunners when his current contract expires at the end of this season after 20 years in charge.

Bartomeu said on Barcelona's official Twitter: "We accept Luis Enrique's decision. He has been a great a coach. Now is it time to end his spell in the best possible way.

"Luis Enrique has brought us great success and he can still bring us more. The players are motivated to do it."

Enrique's Barcelona took a one-point lead at the LaLiga summit as Real Madrid were held 3-3 by Las Palmas on Wednesday night.

Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola expressed his disappointment at news of Enrique's impending departure.

Guardiola, who is now manager at Manchester City, remains a member at the Nou Camp after a highly successful playing and managerial career with the Catalan giants.

Guardiola, speaking after City's FA Cup fifth-round replay win over Huddersfield, said: "I have two reactions. As a Barcelona fan, as a supporter, the club of my heart, I am so sad.

"We are going to miss the perfect trainer for his personality, his character. In his three years he played unbelievable football with unbelievable players.

"The second, if he has decided that I understand him completely and of course I wish him the best.

"As a fan, from the membership of Barcelona, I say thank you for all he has done in three years at my club."

Guardiola, who won the Champions League twice with Barca, recently denied he would be interested returning to the club.

"I will never go back to Barcelona to be coach there," he said last month. "My period there is gone."

Next Barcelona manager odds

Sevilla's former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli is Sky Bet's market leader to be the Barcelona manager at the start of next season.

On Wednesday night he was the early front-runner at 6/4 while Everton manager and former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman is another who has been linked with the top job at the Camp Nou and Sky Bet make him their 6/1 second-favourite, alongside Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Tottenham fans are also likely to be slightly worried by the news, with Mauricio Pochettino attracting praise across Europe for his work with Spurs. He's 10/1 to take charge of Barcelona for the first game of the 2017/18 campaign, with Ernesto Valverde (9/1) and Juan Carlos Unzue (10/1) also towards the top of the betting.

Prices correct at 2135 on 01/03/17