Enrique takes over as coach, promises 'attractive' Barca
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 22, 2014
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Luis Enrique Martinez (C) poses for the media with members of his staff. |
Luis Enrique promised "attractive and effective football" as he took the reins at Barcelona yesterday and set about putting the Catalan giant back at the summit of the European game.
"This is a very special day," Luis Enrique, who has signed a two-year contract, told a news conference. "We are beginning the building of a new, exciting Barcelona."
"My team will attack, we'll play attractive and effective football, the kind of football that millions across the world have come to love, which means we need to defend well, too," said the former Barcelona B coach, who had an impressive season in charge of Celta Vigo last season.
The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, a fan favorite during his playing days, has replaced Gerardo Martino. The Argentine had a disappointing debut season without major silverware and stepped down on Saturday.
Barcelona lost out to Atletico Madrid in the La Liga title race and was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Champions League by the club from the Spanish capital. It also lost to Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey.
"I'll be laying out my plans to the players and talking to them so that they take them on board as their own," the 44-year-old Enrique said.
Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu and his board are hoping Enrique will be able to recreate the success that the club enjoyed under another former midfielder, Pep Guardiola, who had a spectacular run in charge between 2008 and 2012.
Barcelona has already moved to replace departing goalkeeper Victor Valdes by luring Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from Borussia Moenchengladbach, while midfielder Rafinha and forward Gerard Deulofeu return from loan at Celta and Everton, respectively.
Other reinforcements needed include at least one center-back and possibly a center-forward who is strong in the air and can give Barcelona an extra option in attack.
Another important task for the new coach will be to help four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi rediscover his best form. Enrique said he was looking forward to working with the Argentine.
Messi, who has been out of sorts in an injury-disrupted season, agreed a new deal with Barcelona last week that reportedly makes him the game's best-paid player. "I am delighted and overjoyed to have the best player on the planet in the squad," Enrique said.
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