Luis Enrique steps out of Pep Guardiola’s shadows with treble at Barcelona

Enrique succeeded Guardiola as Barca captain and as Barca B coach. Yet, they took different routes to delivering Barca’s two best seasons in a storied 115-year history.

Barcelona players throw coach Luis Enrique into the air after the Uefa Champions League final win over Juventus at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, 06 June 2015. EPA/ANDREAS GEBERT

MADRID // When Luis Enrique was hired as Barcelona coach just over a year ago his challenge was a daunting one: to bring back the glory years of Pep Guardiola.

So far, mission accomplished.

Not for the first time Luis Enrique has followed in Guardiola's footsteps by winning a treble: Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Juventus added the Uefa Champions League to Primera Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs.

Enrique succeeded Guardiola as Barca captain in his playing days in the 1990s and as Barca B coach when the Bayern Munich coach took the top job at the Camp Nou in 2009.

Yet, they took different routes to delivering Barca’s two best seasons in a storied 115-year history.

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Whereas the fiercely proud Catalan Guardiola was loved not only for winning, but imposing a style of play that saw many round the world hail his side as the best in the history of football, Luis Enrique has had to overcome doubts and dressing room revolt before ending the season on top.

Even now he has doubts about his future.

After leaving star duo Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench for a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in January he was rumoured to be on the verge of being fired.

In the week following the Sociedad defeat he saw a trusted ally in sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta sacked and another former teammate, Carles Puyol, walk out on the club in solidarity with Zubizarreta.

A stubborn character who once turned his back on Real Madrid to cross Spanish football’s great divide, the 45-year-old manager appears not to have forgotten that criticism.

“The truth is I don’t know if I will continue,” he said.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu called club elections for this summer when under pressure in January, and whether it is Bartomeu or a new face in charge of the club come July is likely to influence Luis Enrique’s decision.

“It has been a difficult year and I’m very thankful to the people who have believed in me.

“I never thought we would win the treble, but one always tries to do their job to the best that they can.”

His record of 50 victories in 60 games is far superior to the 42 in 62 matches Guardiola managed during his treble-winning debut campaign.

Barca’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar broke the club record of 100 goals by a forward line that season, by Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o, with a sensational 122.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique’s men were even tougher at the back with 33 clean sheets in all competitions.

“I hate comparisons,” said Gerard Pique, when asked the differences between this Barca team and Guardiola’s side. “There are people that would prefer we played like a few years ago, but it works.”

Andres Iniesta hopes Luis Enrique is not quite done following Guardiola’s example just yet and stays on to mark an era at Barca.

“Both trebles are special. The first time you think you’ll never do it again, and yet we have,” said the Spaniard, who was named man-of-the-match against Juventus.

“For us he is our coach and we hope that next year he will be there with us.

“He hasn’t said anything to the contrary and next year we will have new challenges.

“It has been a spectacular season in every aspect. It is a spectacular day for us.”

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