‘Enrique already familiar to Barca’

Jordi Cruyff has backed Luis Enrique over Gerardo Martino as the ‘better fit’ for Barcelona to replace Tito Vilanova.

With Friday’s news that Vilanova is stepping down to continue treatment for ill health, the club have been strongly linked with two candidates to replace him.

It is believed that Barca are looking to their former midfielder and B team Coach Enrique, and former Newell’s Old Boys Coach Martino.

For the Catalans’ 39-year-old former midfielder, who spent two years under his father Johan Cruyff at the Camp Nou in the 1990s, Enrique is the prime candidate.

“The club are looking for a Coach out there who fits the profile of the players and it is clear that Luis Enrique has the advantage of being from the club,” Cruyff told La Xarxa today, ahead of rumours that Guus Hiddink has also entered into contention.

“He has trained here and has suffered already the pressure of the club. He is completely familiar with the environment, I believe that Luis Enrique would fit better.

“I do not know Martino very well but I do believe that the Argentine would be a plus because he knows that Barca can only play in one way and that they would not agree to change their style of play.

“I am sure he will not change the philosophy of play, but perhaps Tata Martino could improve it.

“Vilanova? Health is much more important than football. The priority is Tito’s health and I hope that he can recover his health and can enjoy many years of life. I wish him well.”

Tags Jordi Cruyff Luis Enrique Martino
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