Chelsea and United in the Round of 16, first legs
BARCELONA’S biggest stars have backed Luis Enrique to take over as Chelsea manager – and they have assured Blues fans that he would be a massive success.
The former Barca coach, who enjoyed three astonishing seasons in charge at the Nou Camp, winning eight trophies, is hotly tipped to replace under-pressure Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard, 47, is currently enjoying a sabbatical, but reports in Spain suggest that he is tempted by the challenge of moving to west London – should Conte be sacked.
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, who played alongside his compatriot as a player, and under him as a manager, said: “Luis Enrique is an excellent coach.
“In Barcelona, he showed the incredible level he has reached and I think he could win trophies at any club – and that includes Chelsea. It won’t be easy because Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“But when you see what Enrique developed in Barcelona, then I think it is also possible in London. The Premier League is a tough competition but, for me, he is capable of managing any big English club.”
Enrique won the treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League in his first season at Barca, the double in his second and the Copa del Rey again in the third.
Add in the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup, and you can appreciate why Chelsea would consider him a serious candidate. LUIS SUAREZ’S early goal helped La Liga leaders Barcelona return to winning ways ahead of their trip to Chelsea.
And in the process they equalled their best ever run of 31 league games unbeaten, set by Pep Guardiola’s team Barca star Jordi Alba said: “For me, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if Luis Enrique took over at Chelsea, because he has the right experience and quality for this kind of club.
“Chelsea is a bit like Barcelona – a club where you are always obliged to be a champion. But that kind of pressure doesn’t damage the work of someone like Luis Enrique. He is used to it.”
Reports in Spain suggest Enrique would prefer to wait until the end of the season to move to London, but would be prepared to consider an earlier arrival if the situation arose. Enrique could also try to entice his former backroom staff away from Celta Vigo to join him in London.
Assistant coach Robert Moreno, between 2010 and 2011. Barca had been held to draws by Espanyol and Getafe in their previous two league matches.
And they faced an Eibar side which thrashed high-flying Sevilla 5-1 in their last home outing.
But Barca boss Ernesto fitness coach Ralf Pol and psychologist Joaquin Valdes are all said to be on stand-by. And Alba is certain that, with or without a fresh delivery of big signings, his former coach Enrique would be a huge success after Conte – if Roman Abramovich summons him.
“He has proved himself already,” said Alba. “The Premier League is different to La Liga, but I don’t think that will be a problem for Enrique. I think he would do well.”
Conte is under huge pressure at the Bridge after publicly challenging the club to quash rumours he could be sacked.
No such statement has arrived – and all eyes are on the Chelsea board to see how they react.
Victory over West Brom last week helped calm speculation, but the Italian knows his job will depend on the next few weeks – including the Champions League legs against Barca, on Tuesday and the return on March 14. Valverde (left) saw his men avoid a similar fate.
Valverde said: “I don’t care much about Chelsea, our objective was just to win again. Everybody suffers here, nobody wins easy, but Tuesday is another story.”
Suarez put Barca ahead in the 16th minute after Lionel Messi played him in on goal.
Eibar’s Fabian Orellana was sent off on 66 minutes for a second yellow. Jordi Alba sealed victory late on, pouncing after a Messi effort had been parried.