Barcelona legend Luis Enrique in talks with Serie A club over managerial role - Reports
Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly interested in appointing Barcelona legend Luis Enrique as their new manager.
Napoli won their first Scudetto since 1990 under Luciano Spalletti, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season. The Italian joined the Gli Azzurri in 2021 and led them to a fourth-placed finish in the league. He then took them to the title in his next season, also reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
However, Spalletti has now decided to leave Napoli as he looks to take some rest. He said (via BBC):
"I need to take some time to rest because I'm pretty tired. I don't know if you can call it a year's sabbatical, but I won't be working. I won't be coaching Napoli or any other team."
Now, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have identified former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique to replace Spalletti. They have started initial negotiations with the Spaniard, who has also garnered interest from some other clubs.
Enrique has been without a managerial job since he left Spain after their Round of 16 exit against Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Before taking up the Spain job in 2018, he spent three illustrious years at Barcelona. He won two La Liga titles and one Champions League with the club, among other honors. He also led them to a continental treble in his debut season (2014-15).
Xavi makes bold claim about Barcelona's survival post Lionel Messi era
Lionel Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after they were unable to renew his contract due to their financial issues and La Liga's wage rules. Many expected Barca to crumble without their greatest player, and the first season proved them right.
The Blaugrana ended the 2021-22 season trophyless. However, they bounced back this season, winning the La Liga and Supercopa de Espana. Manager Xavi recently opened up about the club being able to survive and win without Messi (via PSG Talk):
“Yes, it is true that we have already won in the post-Messi era, and that has extraordinary, extraordinary merit. The same is not valued, but the fear that we cules had was when Leo leaves, what will we do? Well, Barca have survived."
He added:
“I think we have rebuilt the team very well, and this League and this Super Cup have the spectacular merit of doing it without the best player in the history of this club and of world football.”
Messi, 35, scored 672 goals and provided 303 assists in 778 games across competitions for Barcelona, helping them win 34 trophies.
While the club won the La Liga title this season, they have failed to make it past the Champions League group stage in the Argentine's absence. Messi has now been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona, as he's set to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent this summer.