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The Time Is Right For Luis Enrique To Go

By Sean Whooley

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 01: Head coach Luis Enrique of FC Barcelona directs his players during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sporting de Gijon at Camp Nou stadium on March 1, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 01: Head coach Luis Enrique of FC Barcelona directs his players during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sporting de Gijon at Camp Nou stadium on March 1, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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It’s not an unpopular opinion, but to reaffirm what many are saying, both Barcelona and Luis Enrique got their timing right. A new manager is on the horizon, and it will be a step in the right direction.

To the untrained eye, the departure of Lucho after three trophy-laden seasons can look like a head-scratcher. Whether it truly was his decision or was more of a mutual parting of ways, why would Barcelona allow him to go?

He constructed MSN. He won the Champions League once, La Liga twice and more. However, he ran his course, and he knows it. Barcelona fans should be thankful for what Lucho did, and have a positive outlook for the future.

Trophies are still possible this season. La Liga is within reach thanks to Real Madrid’s recent stumble. The Copa del Rey final could cap off Enrique’s nice tenure in Catalonia. Down 4-0 heading into the second leg of their Champions League tie with Paris Saint Germain, a fight back seems unlikely. You never know though—if Enrique’s team pulled that turnaround off, he wouldn’t even need to win Europe’s finest prize to be seen as a hero.

Again, all the success makes this look like an odd move on the surface. However, Barcelona must head in a new direction. This season has been full of ups and downs for Barcelona. They have the most star-studded front three in the world, and a top-tier starting 11, but their depth has let them down at times this year. Their lack of a right back forced a central midfielder in Sergi Roberto to deputize, and as time goes on his weaknesses continue to show.

Sometimes Javier Mascherano is brilliant as a center back. Sometimes he shows that he is a midfielder playing defense. Losing Andres Iniesta for a long stretch caused a downturn in results because they could not find someone to properly fill in for the midfield maestro.

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The club saw adversity at times this year, and, unlike past seasons, they failed to deal with it properly. Many thought Luis Enrique would not return at the end of the season because of that. Though his team remains in the mix this season, Enrique’s departure on his own accord offers Barcelona a chance to fix those shortcomings.

It starts in La Masia. Enrique failed to utilize the world-class youth system that brought the world Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and more. The only La Masia graduate to see significant time in Lucho’s reign is Roberto, and only because of the right back crisis. The new manager must be able to utilize the resources at the club, and La Masia is one heck of a resource.

Despite all the trophies and victories, Luis Enrique failed to really create an identity at Barcelona. When Barcelona were flying, it was because of the mercurial Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. When they faltered, it often fell on the manager.

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Whoever comes in has to establish some form of the identity Lucho’s side has lacked. They must also maintain the star power that has driven Barcelona to success. Luis Enrique did a wonderful job winning trophies and maintaining Barcelona’s reputation of excellence in his time in charge. Heck, he still has time to cement his legacy. But the time is right for him to depart, and Barcelona will continue to grow under whoever leads them next.