Luis Enrique has become the favourite to replace Tata Martino as Barcelona Coach next season, reports in Spain have claimed.
Mundo Deportivo says that Barca’s sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, has worked on appointing either Enrique, the Celta Vigo Coach, or his Athletic Bilbao counterpart Ernesto Valverde.
But Valverde has spoken strongly of his desire to remain at San Mames, which would clear the way for Enrique, a former Barca player.
Valverde also spent time playing at Camp Nou and was a colleague of Zubi’s at Athletic prior to the former goalkeeper joining Barca under Sandro Rosell.
Athletic are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League next season and Valverde is understood to want to take the team into the competition rather than decamp to Catalonia.
Enrique has made similar noises about remaining at Celta but Mundo Deportivo claims his contract could be bought out for €3m.
