Luis Enrique will leave his position as manager of FC Barcelona, he announced during his press conference shortly after the team’s 6-1 win over Sporting Gijón on Wednesday.

The Asturian explained his decision: “During the pre-season, I had a meeting Albert Soler and Robert Fernández and I informed them that there was a chance of not renewing. They, on behalf of the Club, reassured me that there was no pressure. That moment has now arrived and I announce it to you”.

Minutes before making it public, the manager announced his decision to the squad in the first team changing rooms of the Camp Nou. His motives were “the way I have to live this profession with a relentless search for solutions and to improve the team. This means very little time to relax and disconnect. At the end of the season it would be good for me to rest.”

A gracious thank you to the Club

Luis Enrique thanked the Club for his three years the club: "I would like to thank the club for placing its trust in me throughout my career, not just as a player but also as a coach. They were the first ones who thought I had the chance to coach the reserves, which I did for three years. Later they decided I would be the coach for these three years, which for me will be unforgettable.”

Thus, the Asturian will have completed three seasons with the club when the campaign ends, in which time he has won eight out of a possible ten titles, with three more still at stake.

"We have three exciting months left,” he said. “Three months in all competitions. In one of them, of course, we are in a difficult situation, but, with everyone's help, I am sure we will have an opportunity to turn it around."