Luis Enrique to sign two year deal as new FC Barcelona Manager

Barcelona (FCB).- The FC Barcelona Board of Directors have this evening confirmed  Luis Enrique Martínez as the new first team coach, replacing Tata Martino and following a proposal from Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta. Luis Enrique, 44 , will sign a two year deal. The new manager will sign his contract at noon on Wednesday and hold a press conference at 1:00 PM CET in the Auditori 1899.This wil be Luis Enrique’s third spell at FC Barcelona, after having arrived in 1996 as Player and coming back in 2008 as the Barça B's coach.

When he joined as a player from Real Madrid in 1996, when he soon became a firm favourite with the fans for his competitive attitude. In addition, his versatility, knack of scoring big goals and technical ability made him a key member of the team.

In his first three seasons he won two League titles, two Spanish Cups, a European Cup Winners Cup and a European Super Cup . In his eight years as a player, Luis Enrique played 300 games and scored 109 goals and was captain from 2002 to 2004, when he finally hung up his boots as a player.

Record breaking B team coach

In 2008, he was back at the Club, taking over as coach of Barça B and after just missing out in his first year, he won promotion to the second division in his second, taking the youngsters to a record breaking points haul and finishing the 2010/11 season in third place.

Luis Enrique to sign new contract on Wednesday

This Wednesday, 21 May, Luis Enrique Martínez will be presented as the new manager of FC Barcelona’s first team. The Asturian manager will sign his two-year contract at noon. The signing ceremony will take place at FC Barcelona’s offices.

One hour later, at 1:00 PM CET, in the Auditori 1899 Luis Enrique will hold his first press conference as FC Barcelona’s manager. The press conference will be streamed live on the club’s official website and broadcast live on Barça TV.