Luis Enrique confirms Celta Vigo departure amid Barcelona rumours

Luis Enrique has confirmed his Celta Vigo departure to fuel speculations that he could become Barcelona’s next manager

Madrid, May 17 (IANS) Spanish BBVA Primera Liga club, Celta Vigo confirmed that Luis Enrique will leave his position as first team coach at the end of the season fueling rumours that he could be Barcelona’s new manager.

Club president Carlos Mourino made the announcement at a press conference Friday, in which he also explained that Luis Enrique had been on a contract which left him the option of sitting down with the club to discuss his continuity at Celta, reports Xinhua.

Luis Enrique has been linked very strongly with a return to FC Barcelona to replace Gerardo Martino at the end of the season and was recently filmed at his house with Barcelona’s Director of Sport, Andoni Zubizarreta carrying out supposed negotiations.

The former Barca player and B-team coach, spoke to the press after Mourino explained the basis of his decision.

“There is no single reason, but there are reasons, such as I have left my family in Barcelona and that is difficult and I understand that a year in Vigo where we have maintained our position in the league comfortably is enough for me,” said Luis Enrique, who would not confirm a move to take over at Barcelona

“I can neither confirm nor deny it. There is nothing to say about my future. This is a sad day for me. I am Celta coach and I will be until the end of the season. If something happens in the future, I will communicate it, but it would be wrong to say anything before things happen,” he commented.

Celta are the second Spanish club which will definitely be looking for a new coach for next season after Malaga confirmed earlier in the week that Berndt Schuster would not continue at the club.

Saturday sees Barcelona play their last game of the season and the Catalans have to defeat Atletico Madrid in order to win the Spanish league title.