The saga at Barcelona has reportedly taken an incredible turn with news Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is to appease unsettled superstar Lionel Messi by sacking manager Luis Enrique.
Goal.com is saying Barca will part ways with their manager after this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Atletico Madrid. Messi reportedly wants former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard to return to the club in charge.
The report was later shot down by a number of informed sources, including respected Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague but it does highlight how dysfunctional the club has become in recent times.
Rumours have been circulating this week of unrest at Camp Nou, with Spanish press reporting a number of confrontations between the pair. Luis Enrique refused to deny the reports earlier this week.
A number of managers have been sounded out as potential replacements this week, including Premier League bosses Manuel Pellegrini and Ronald Koeman.
But Pellegrini confirmed that he is happy at the Etihad Stadium and has no intention of becoming Barcelona’s new boss while Koeman — a former star player at Barcelona — said he also wasn’t interested.
“I know because my whole life I am linked with Barcelona but now is not the time to speak about it because it is disrespectful to Southampton,” he said.
The 27-year-old is worshipped at Camp Nou and got a grand reception before the midweek win over Elche.
Any prospective suitors would have to spend almost $1 billion to meet the buyout clause on Messi and the player’s wage demands.