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Luis Enrique: A Stubborn Master Who Changed FCB’s Style

By Nikhil Kulkarni

BARCELONA, SPAIN - May 21: Barcelona's supporters hold a gigant banner supporting the FC Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique Mertinez, prior the La Liga match between the FC Barcelona and SD Eibar CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on May 21, 2017. (Photo by Albert Llop/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - May 21: Barcelona's supporters hold a gigant banner supporting the FC Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique Mertinez, prior the La Liga match between the FC Barcelona and SD Eibar CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on May 21, 2017. (Photo by Albert Llop/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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Well, the season is done and teams are in for another transfer market. But before going ahead, it’s time to look back how Luis Enrique fared during his time at Camp Nou. Surely, he has left a long-lasting impression before bidding farewell to his former club.

A former Spanish player has achieved so much in his career as a player and a coach which many only dreamed of. Luis Enrique, known as Lucho has always been a different kind of coach than ones at Camp Nou. The Asturian was always known for his stubborn decisions but has always tried his best to keep Camp Nou happy. When he was chosen as the next head coach it took many fans by surprise. However, Lucho was never an unknown face for Camp Nou.

They had seen the best of him as a player and a captain. Before joining Barca as a manager he managed a number of teams and in that regard was a preferred choice by Catalans. Lucho started working as a manager in 2008 with Barcelona B and, three years later, moved to Roma. In the 2013-14 season, he managed Celta, before returning to Barcelona.

He returned at the time when FCB was in trouble with missing out on a number of accolades and was looking like another team only. At that time they wanted someone who can return the glory days at Camp Nou and make FCB champions again. Before him, Pep had set no of benchmarks which Pep’s successors were not able to match and Camp Nou never wanted anything less than trophies. And when Luis Enrique arrived it was the similar feeling that he should win everything. Lucho started his career in a bright manner for Barca as he won the treble in his 1st season and double in next one.

But in his last season, he only managed to win one trophy and that was CDR. And with the pressure mounting on due to fierce rivals Real winning double, he decided to step down. Yes, now Lucho is gone but what he achieved at Camp Nou was nothing less than a success. He won things that many coaches couldn’t do in their whole life but its FCB where demands are very high. It’s a job that even Pep decided to quit after few spells because of the nature of competition. But Camp Nou never considers Lucho as best even he was the only one after Pep to win the treble.

LAS PALMAS, SPAIN – MAY 14: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique sports a stone island jacket during the La Liga match between UD Las Palmas and Barcelona at Estadio de Gran Canaria on May 14, 2017, in Las Palmas, Spain. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LAS PALMAS, SPAIN – MAY 14: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique sports a stone island jacket during the La Liga match between UD Las Palmas and Barcelona at Estadio de Gran Canaria on May 14, 2017, in Las Palmas, Spain. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

Looking back at Luis Enrique as a manager, he might not be the technical expert but yes he reinvented FCB’s hunger to win everything. He gave Barca players like Suarez and Rakitic who have been a phenomenal success at Camp Nou. He won a haul of nine trophies in his 3-year spell with the club. Lucho made history too, becoming the first manager to win three consecutive Copa Del Rey’s in 64 years.

He gave Barca the games like historic comeback against PSG, 3-2 victory in recent Clasico at Bernabeu. Lucho made Camp Nou believe that they can win 4-0 at Bernabeu without Messi. He made FCB believe that they can go on winning and thus had a streak of 39 consecutive matches without losing.

Luis Enrique allowed Barca fans to dream and tried his best to have them in reality. With MSN at the front, any manager can rely on the potent threat in front of goal and Lucho was no exception. He bypassed the traditional Barca style of play somewhat and deployed more counter attacking style.

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With Messi at his peak, Barca was keen on providing him the ball as soon as possible. This worked very well in his first season as FCB went on to win the treble. That was the start of a new era under Luis Enrique. He continued his good run in following seasons but had a very mediocre last season before deciding to quit.

Nevertheless, Luis Enrique did bring success at Barca but at cost of some changes in style of play. In his 1st season, he had players like Xavi, Pedro so no one noticed how the changes will affect in future. But with the departure of Xavi, Barca’s midfield problems came to the fore. And his unwillingness to allow La Masia players stopped the regular flow of youth academy players in the 1st team.

It looked like FCB moved away from its basic motto of playing with home-grown talents and midfield superiority. He brought some players who never looked comfortable adjusting to life in Camp Nou. And his stubborn decisions to have some players in starting squad didn’t help either. He was the one admired by many but loved by few in Camp Nou.

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In essence, he reignited the spark to win everything but he rarely planned for future and that came back to haunt Catalans. Now Luis Enrique is gone and as he said he will be a Cule forever. At last, Forget for a moment the stand-offs with the media and the stubbornness with his playing staff. Luis Enrique has been an undoubted success and a winner. No doubt, he bowed out of Barcelona in very much the same style his reign at the club has been known for: winning.