The ambivalence towards Barcelona boss Luis Enrique that is snowballing every week isn’t just a product of the Catalan’s huge defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last midweek. It has been accumulating for a year now and Barcelona’s inability to compete with Real Madrid at the same level has only increased it.
The weekend’s slim win over Leganes has only worsened things and the season-low turnout in the stands is an indication that the former Barcelona and Real Madrid man’s time is nearing an end. Despite leading Barcelona to the UEFA Champions League title in 2015 and having a winning percentage of 61.2%, it seems like the players are now unwilling to fight for the manager.
Enrique’s summer shopping and squad rotating tactics have a lot to do with it. There have often been disagreements between the boss and the players, which is now costing Enrique. Barcelona’s movements looked aimless and lacking substance against PSG as they moved into attacks again and again only to be frustrated. A similar display was seen against Leganes and the team was so poor that Lionel Messi didn’t bother to celebrate the last minute winning goal that he converted from the spot.
As per reports, Barcelona are preparing a list of managers, who could take the managerial position after this season, and present Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is one of their prime targets. The Argentine has earlier managed Spanish side Espanyol, where he also spent time as a player and has a complete knowledge of the league.
Pochettino took over Espanyol as manager in late January 2009 and was given the job of saving them the relegation. Among his experience then counted his recent completion of UEFA Pro License and a short spell as the assistant manager of the ladies’ team. Prior to his first game against Barcelona as a manager, he could manage just two training sessions with an underconfident team that had given all hope of a good finish in the league. His system of high-pressing and one-on-one defensive cover not only yielded an unexpected 0–0 draw against Barcelona, but Espanyol also finished midtable that season.
He took over at Southampton in 2013 and his tactics led the team to notable victories over Liverpool and Chelsea leading the team to an eighth-place finish, which is their highest league position since 1989–90. Despite having financial restrictions, the Argentine was brilliant in working his way up with a core of average players.
With Tottenham Hotspur, he did a brilliant job of bringing up academy players into the first team like Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli in the first season and finished fifth. In the second season, when the financial restrictions loosened, he has managed to make them one of the complete squads in the league and led them to a third-place finish in the 2015-16 season.
Under him, Spurs have won 51.45% of their games. His tactics include building from the back, intimidating and unsettling opponents with a quick press system and working the ball into the box. As of now, he looks by far the best candidate to lead Barcelona back to their glory days.
