Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique has paid tribute to his predecessor and former boss Sir Bobby Robson on the fifth anniversary of his death.
Robson passed away in 2009 and Enrique, speaking from the Football Association’s training base in Burton-upon-Trent, England, where Barca are preparing for the new season, has reflected upon his time working under the ex-England manager.
“It was a year where we won three trophies, one Cup Winners’ Cup, one [Copa del Rey], one Spanish Super Cup,” Enrique told the FA’s official website, according to the Guardian.
“It was a difficult season because it was the year after [Johan] Cruyff had left, and Barcelona decided to sign the services of Robson and his great experience.
“I think he reached the full expectations.
“As a manager, he had very clear ideas, with an attacking concept of play and an easy and clear philosophy.
“His natural way of doing things, being very spontaneous, being capable of managing a group, being able to adapt himself to the high expectations of a big team with different circumstances.
“I remember that at half-time he used to grab some plastic glasses to show us the tactics and movements he wanted to see. He was a very talented and easy going person.”
The FA declared the anniversary of Robson’s death as Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day and Enrique added he feels Robson would have welcomed his venture into coaching.
“I don’t think it would be a surprise to him. He was a real football man,” the former Celta Vigo trainer continued.
“It’s very normal to see ex-footballers becoming managers but I don’t think anything would surprise him.
“Maybe it was the way he used to see football in his era and the way we see football, with passion.
“I think he could see himself reflected in us, in the way we approach and understand football.
“I started playing as a defender and when he used to give me opportunities to play as a striker I used to score goals and he always used to talk highly of me.
“I used to appreciate his words of praise, because it was my first year at Barcelona, a very important year for me, and I have to say, I always had a good relationship with him and he always had good things to say about me and that’s always nice.”
