How Long Did Luis Enrique Coach Barcelona?

By Anna Duncan

How Long Did Luis Enrique Coach Barcelona?

Luis Enrique, the former Spanish footballer, had a remarkable tenure as the head coach of FC Barcelona. Let’s take a closer look at his time in charge of one of the most successful clubs in the world.

Early Years and Playing Career

Luis Enrique began his football journey as a player before transitioning into coaching. Born on May 8, 1970, in Gijon, Spain, he had an illustrious playing career primarily with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Enrique joined Barcelona in 1996 and quickly became an integral part of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team.” He played alongside legendary figures like Pep Guardiola and Ronald Koeman, winning numerous domestic and international titles during his eight-year spell at the club.

Transition to Coaching

After retiring from professional football in 2004, Luis Enrique shifted his focus to coaching. He initially took charge of Barcelona’s B team, also known as Barcelona B or Barça Atlètic. This experience provided him with a solid foundation to develop his coaching skills.

The Return to Camp Nou

In May 2014, Luis Enrique was appointed as the head coach of FC Barcelona’s senior team. His return to Camp Nou marked a new era for the club after a relatively disappointing season under Gerardo Martino.

Enrique wasted no time in making an impact. Under his guidance, Barcelona achieved unprecedented success across various competitions.

The Success Story

  • Treble Winners: In his first season (2014-2015), Luis Enrique led Barcelona to an incredible treble – winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. This achievement made him only the second person in Barcelona’s history to win the treble as both a player and a manager.
  • Continued Dominance: Enrique’s success didn’t stop there. In the following season (2015-2016), Barcelona secured another La Liga title and added the FIFA Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet.
  • Final Season: Although his final season (2016-2017) didn’t yield as many trophies, Barcelona still managed to win the Copa del Rey, completing three consecutive victories in the tournament.

The Departure

In June 2017, Luis Enrique announced that he would step down as Barcelona’s head coach. His decision came after a challenging season where Barcelona narrowly missed out on winning La Liga and suffered a heavy defeat in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Luis Enrique left behind an incredible legacy at Barcelona. His attacking style of play and ability to motivate players resulted in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

Conclusion

Luis Enrique coached Barcelona for three seasons from 2014 to 2017. During this time, he won numerous domestic and international titles, including two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies, one UEFA Champions League title, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

His impact on the team extended beyond just silverware; he instilled a winning mentality and left an indelible mark on FC Barcelona’s storied history.