Soccer

Luis Enrique steps down from Celta Vigo as Barcelona speculation increases

Former player rumoured to be in line to take over from Gerardo Martino

Luis Enrique has stepped down as Celta Vigo coach midway through his two-year contract amid speculation he is poised to replace Gerardo Martino at Barcelona. Photograph: Javier Lizon/EPA
Luis Enrique has stepped down as Celta Vigo coach midway through his two-year contract amid speculation he is poised to replace Gerardo Martino at Barcelona. Photograph: Javier Lizon/EPA
Fri May 16 2014 - 14:00

Luis Enrique has stepped down as Celta Vigo coach midway through his two-year contract amid speculation he is poised to replace Gerardo Martino at Barcelona.

“The time has come to announce that I am not staying in Vigo next season,” Luis Enrique told a news conference on Friday without giving away details of his future plans.

A former Barca and Spain midfielder, Luis Enrique took over from Pep Guardiola as coach of Barca’s B team in 2008 before a brief and troubled stint at Serie A club AS Roma.

Celta hired him to replace Abel Resino in June and the Galician club have had a fine season under the 44-year-old, playing some of the most attractive football in Spain.

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They are eighth with one game left and crowned their campaign with a 2-0 win at home to Real Madrid, another of Luis Enrique’s former clubs, last weekend.