Luis Enrique (footballer)

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique managing Barcelona in 2014
Personal information
Full nameLuis Enrique Martínez García
Date of birth8 May 1970
Place of birthGijón, Spain
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Barcelona (manager)
Youth career
1976–1981Barcelona
1981–1988Sporting Gijón
1984–1988→ La Braña (loan)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1988–1990Sporting B
1989–1991Sporting Gijón36(14)
1991–1996Real Madrid157(15)
1996–2004Barcelona207(73)
Total400(102)
National team
1990–1991Spain U215(0)
1991–1992Spain U2314(3)
1991–2002Spain62(12)
2000Asturias1(0)
Teams managed
2008–2011Barcelona B
2011–2012Roma
2013–2014Celta
2014–Barcelona
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is García.

Luis Enrique Martínez García (Spanish pronunciation: [lwiz enˈrike]; born 8 May 1970), known simply as Luis Enrique, is a Spanish former footballer who is the current manager of La Liga club FC Barcelona.

As a player his usual position was right or attacking midfielder, but he was notable for his versatility, having played in all positions throughout his career except central defender and goalkeeper.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Starting in 1991 and ending in 2004 he represented both Real Madrid and Barcelona, with equal individual and team success, appearing in more than 500 official games and scoring more than 100 goals. He appeared with the Spanish national team in three World Cups and one European Championship, and was also noted for his temperament and stamina. In 2004 he was named by Pelé on the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players for FIFA's centenary.[7]

Luis Enrique started working as a manager in 2008 with Barcelona B and, three years later, moved to Roma. In the 2013–14 season, he managed Celta.

Playing career

Club career

Luis Enrique was born in Gijón, Asturias. In 1988, he started playing for Sporting de Gijón B, and was two years later moved to its first team, Sporting de Gijón, where he in the league scored 14 goals in 36 apps. In 1991, he made a move to Real Madrid. During his time there, he won the league and Copa del Rey and also scored against Barcelona in famous match that ended 5–0 in favor of Real Madrid.[8] Nevertheless, Luis Enrique did not enjoy his time in Madrid, and would many years later claim that "he rarely felt appreciated by the Real Madrid supporters and didn't have good memories there."[8] During 1996, in a stunning move, Luis Enrique saw out his contract and moved to fierce rivals FC Barcelona on a free transfer.[9] The Catalan club's supporters were at first hesitant about their new acquisition, but he soon won the culés' hearts, staying eight years with the club, eventually becoming first-team captain and scoring several times in El Clásico against his former employers.[10]

In his first three seasons with Barcelona Luis Enrique netted 46 La Liga goals,[11][12] with Barcelona finishing runner-up in 1996–97 and subsequently winning back-to-back domestic championship accolades. Furthermore, he was also in the 1997-98 season named as La Liga's player of the year.[8]

During his final years in Barcelona he was often injured, and did not want to renew his contract. He had been offered a contract by his first club Sporting de Gijón, which he, however, declined, stating that "he wouldn't be able to reach the level he demanded of myself," and that "he wouldn't be doing Sporting much of a favor by going there."[13] His concerns about his level and fitness made him retire on 10 August 2004, at the age of 34.[13] Luis Enrique finished his professional career with league totals of 400 games and 102 goals, being named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March.[14]

International career

Luis Enrique played for Spain in three FIFA World Cups: 1994, 1998 and 2002 (as well as UEFA Euro 1996), and scored 12 goals while gaining 62 caps. He was also a member of the gold-winning squad at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and made his debut for the main side on 17 April 1991, featuring for 22 minutes in a 0–2 friendly loss to Romania in Cáceres.[15]

In the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States, Luis Enrique scored his first international goal, in the round-of-16 3–0 win over Switzerland in Washington DC.[16] In the 1–2 quarter-final defeat against Italy, Mauro Tassotti's elbow made contact with his face to bloody effect,[17] the action being of such impact that he reportedly lost a pint of blood as a result, but during the match the incident went unpunished – Tassotti was banned for eight games afterwards, and never played internationally again;[18] when Spain met Italy at Euro 2008 on 22 June, to battle for a place in the semi-finals, Luis Enrique reportedly called for the team to "take revenge" on Italy for the 1994 World Cup incident.[19] Tassotti, now an assistant coach at A.C. Milan, told Marca newspaper that he was tired of always being reminded of this incident, and that he had never intended to hurt the Spaniard.

At the 1998 World Cup Luis Enrique played a major role in a 6–1 routing of Bulgaria in the last game of the group, scoring and assisting once and also winning a penalty, but the Spaniards were eliminated nonetheless.[20] On 5 June of the following year he netted a hat-trick, in a 9–0 win in Villarreal over San Marino for the Euro 2000 qualifiers.[21] On 23 June 2002, Luis Enrique retired from international football, in order to give the younger players more playing time and focus only on his club.[22]

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 July 1994 RFK Memorial, Washington, United States   Switzerland 2–0 3–0 1994 World Cup
2. 16 November 1994 Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain  Denmark 3–0 3–0 Euro 1996 qualifying
3. 17 December 1994 Constant Vanden Stock, Brussels, Belgium  Belgium 1–4 1–4 Euro 1996 qualifying
4. 4 September 1996 Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 0–1 2–6 1998 World Cup qualification
5. 13 November 1996 Heliodoro Rodríguez López, Tenerife, Spain  Slovakia 3–1 4–1 1998 World Cup qualification
6. 11 October 1997 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain  Faroe Islands 1–0 3–1 1998 World Cup qualification
7. 11 October 1997 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain  Faroe Islands 3–1 3–1 1998 World Cup qualification
8. 24 June 1998 Félix Bollaert, Lens, France  Bulgaria 2–0 6–1 1998 World Cup
9. 5 June 1999 El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain  San Marino 2–0 9–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
10. 5 June 1999 El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain  San Marino 6–0 9–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
11. 5 June 1999 El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain  San Marino 7–0 9–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
12. 4 September 1999 Ernst Happel, Vienna, Austria  Austria 1–3 1–3 Euro 2000 qualifying

Media

Luis Enrique was sponsored by sportswear company Nike and appeared in Nike commercials. In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he starred in a "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded "Scopion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam, appearing alongside football players such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho, Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos and Hidetoshi Nakata, with former player Eric Cantona the tournament "referee".[23][24]

Managerial career

Barcelona B

Luis Enrique in 2010

On 18 June 2008 Luis Enrique returned to Barcelona, taking over the reins of the B team, renamed Barcelona Atlètic for that season.[25] As he succeeded longtime Barcelona teammate Pep Guardiola, he stated: "I have come home", and "I finished playing here and now I will start coaching here."; as his predecessor he too eventually had success, helping the club return to division two in his second season, after an absence of 11 years.

In mid-March 2011, Luis Enrique announced his departure from Barcelona B at the end of the season, despite still having two years left on his contract.[26] He led the side to the playoffs, but it was ineligible for promotion.

Roma

On 8 June 2011, Luis Enrique reached an agreement with Serie A club A.S. Roma to become the Giallorossi's new head coach. He signed a two-year contract, being joined by a staff of four members, including Iván de la Peña who played two years for crosstown rivals S.S. Lazio, as technical collaborator.[27]

Roma was eliminated from the UEFA Europa League by ŠK Slovan Bratislava, amid great discussion of the substitution of legendary Francesco Totti for Stefano Okaka Chuka. The capital team also lost their first game in the league against Cagliari Calcio, making it just the third time that it lost the opener in 18 years.[28]

Even though he still had two year in his link running, Luis Enrique decided to leave Roma at the end of the campaign, after the club failed to qualify for any European competition.[29][30]

Celta

On 8 June 2013 Luis Enrique became Celta de Vigo's new manager, replacing former national teammate Abel Resino.[31] He led the Galicians to the ninth position in his first and only season, highlights including a 2–0 home win against Real Madrid that ended the opposition's possibilities of winning the league title.[32]

On 16 May 2014, Luis Enrique announced that he would be leaving Celta.[33]

Barcelona

Luis Enrique shouting instructions to his players.

On 19 May 2014, it was announced that Luis Enrique would return to Barcelona as a manager, after he agreed to a two-year deal. He was recommended by sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, his former national teammate.[34][35]

Luis Enrique's first competitive match was a 3–0 home league win over Elche CF; he handed debuts to new signings Claudio Bravo, Jérémy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitić, and gave youth products Rafinha, Sandro Ramírez and Munir El Haddadi their league debuts for the club, Summer signing Luis Suárez was unavailable for selection, due to a suspension, for biting Giorgio Chiellini earlier in the summer at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[36] On 25 October, Luis Enrique suffered his first defeat in La Liga away against Real Madrid. Although Barcelona had a successful run in 2015, his management came under scrutiny because of his tactics involving several lineup changes in consecutive games in the 2014 matches. Plus, a quarrel with striker Lionel Messi and other members of the team further accentuated the team's poor form.[37]

After an away loss to Real Sociedad, there was a significant upturn in Barcelona's form as a result of Luis Enrique deciding on a settled line up. Luis Enrique equaled Pep Guardiola's record of eleven consecutive victories.[38] Barcelona beat Atlético Madrid and Villarreal convincingly in the Copa del Rey to advance to the final with Athletic Bilbao. In La Liga, Barcelona won eight of the next nine matches to return to the top of La Liga after fifteen weeks.[39] Barcelona completely outplayed Manchester City at their home ground in the first leg of the Champions League with Luis Suárez scoring two clinical goals. Barcelona beat Manchester City 1–0 in the return leg and advanced to the quarter finals of the Champions League for a record eighth consecutive year. Luis Enrique won his first El Clásico as manager when Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2–1 at the Camp Nou to create a four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga.

On 21 April 2015, Enrique recorded his 42nd win after 50 games in charge of Barcelona with a 2–0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the best record of any manager.[40]

Other ventures

After retiring from football, Luis Enrique lived for a while in Australia to practice surfing. He took part in the 2005 edition of the New York City Marathon, finished the Amsterdam Marathon in 2006, the Firenze Marathon in 2007 and the Marathon des Sables in 2008, while also entering and finishing Frankfurt Ironman in 2007. He was supposed to take part in the Klagenfurt Ironman in July 2008, but eventually declined due to his engagement as manager of Barcelona B.[41]

Honours

Club

Real Madrid
Barcelona

International

Statistics

Club

Club Season League Cup Europe Other[42] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting Gijón 1989–90 10------10
1990–91 351493----4417
Total 36149300004517
Real Madrid 1991–92 2946160--415
1992–93 3426081--483
1993–94 282416020403
1994–95 3542060--434
1995–96 313008020413
Total 157151823414021318
Barcelona 1996–97 35177170205118
1997–98 34186364104725
1998–99 26113031203412
1999–2000 1935376203312
2000–01 2894196--4116
2001–02 23500156--3811
2002–03 1880082--2610
2003–04 2431052--305
Total 20773268602770300109
Career totals 40010253139428110558144

International

[43]

Spain
YearAppsGoals
199110
199200
199320
199493
199580
199692
199742
199881
199984
200030
200150
200250
Total6212

Managerial

As of 21 April 2015
Team Nat From To Record
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
Barcelona B Spain 18 June 2008 5 June 2011 118 57 36 25 200 135 +65 48.31
Roma Italy 8 June 2011 13 May 2012 42 17 9 16 60 54 +6 40.48
Celta Spain 8 June 2013 18 May 2014 40 15 7 18 49 54 -5 37.50
Barcelona Spain 19 May 2014 Present 52 44 3 5 151 31 +120 84.62
Total 247 128 55 64 445 273 +172 51.82

References

  1. ↑ Antic: "Estoy seguro de que mi sistema es bueno" (Antic: "I'm sure my system is good"); El País, 17 August 1991 (Spanish)
  2. ↑ El Madrid desborda a un lastimoso Sevilla (Madrid tears pityful Sevilla apart); El País, 29 September 1991 (Spanish)
  3. ↑ El Madrid intentará golear al Logroñés en el Bernabéu (Madrid will try to rout Logroñés at the Bernabéu); El País, 14 March 1993 (Spanish)
  4. ↑ El jugador más versátil (The most versatile player); El Mundo Deportivo, 12 August 1997 (Spanish)
  5. ↑ Dudas (Doubts); El Mundo Deportivo, 25 September 1998 (Spanish)
  6. ↑ Adriano: el "relevo" de Luis Enrique (Adriano: Luis Enrique's "replacement"); Barcelona's official website, 22 July 2010 (Spanish)
  7. ↑ "Pele's list of the greatest". BBC. 4 March 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lowe, Sid (Oct 23, 2014). "Barca manager Luis Enrique doesn't have fond memories of Real Madrid". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Luis Enrique ficha por el Barça por cinco temporadas" [Luis Enrique signs for Barça for five seasons] (in Spanish). El País. 28 May 1996. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Un gol con sabor a venganza" [Revenge-flavoured goal] (in Spanish). El País. 2 November 1997. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "La cincuentena de Luis Enrique" [Luis Enrique's fifty] (in Spanish). El País. 9 October 1997. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Luis Enrique, 'pichichi' con 11 goles" [Luis Enrique, 'pichichi' with 11 goals] (in Spanish). El País. 21 December 1997. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Luis Enrique bows out; BBC Sport, 10 August 2004
  14. ↑ Pele's list of the greatest; BBC Sport, 4 March 2004
  15. ↑ De nuevo vencidos y sin gloria (Again beaten hopelessly); El Mundo Deportivo, 18 April 1991 (Spanish)
  16. ↑ "New Barcelona boss Luis Enrique scores for Spain at 1994 World Cup". BBC Sport. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  17. ↑ "Luis Enrique full of respect". BBC Sport. 20 June 2002. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  18. ↑ Date set for Hendry decision; BBC Sport, 3 April 2001
  19. ↑ Luis Enrique: "Espero que Villa me vengue ante Italia" (Luis Enrique: "I hope Villa avenges me against Italy"); Marca, 18 June 2008 (Spanish)
  20. ↑ "Spain beats Bulgaria 6–1 but fails to qualify". Sports Illustrated. 19 September 1998. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Líderes con otro 9–0" [Leaders with another 9–0] (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 6 June 1999. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  22. ↑ Luis Enrique calls time; BBC Sport, 23 June 2002
  23. ↑ "A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts". NikeBiz (Nike). Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  24. ↑ Cozens, Claire (3 April 2002). "Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  25. ↑ Luis Enrique, nuevo entrenador del Barcelona B (Luis Enrique, new Barcelona B coach); El País, 26 May 2008 (Spanish)
  26. ↑ Luis Enrique se va a final de temporada (Luis Enrique leaves at the end of season); Barcelona's official website, 15 March 2011 (Spanish)
  27. ↑ "Luis Enrique ha firmato "Farò calcio spettacolo"" [Luis Enrique has signed "I will produce spectacular football"] (in Italian). La Repubblica. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  28. ↑ Serie A – Enrique's Roma lose opener; Yahoo! Sports, 11 September 2011
  29. ↑ Luis Enrique's Roma experiment going up in smoke; Four Four Two, 26 April 2012
  30. ↑ Luis Enrique lascia la Roma: Per me è una sconfitta (Luis Enrique leaves Roma: For me it's a loss); La Presse, 10 May 2012 (Italian)
  31. ↑ "Luis Enrique appointed Celta boss". ESPN FC. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  32. ↑ "Luis Enrique: "Hemos aprovechado sus errores"" [Luis Enrique: "We took advantage of their mistakes"] (in Spanish). Marca. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  33. ↑ "Luis Enrique to leave Celta Vigo amid rumours he is set for Barcelona". The Guardian. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  34. ↑ "Luis Enrique signs two year deal as new FC Barcelona manager". FC Barcelona. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  35. ↑ "Barcelona appoint Luis Enrique as first-team coach". BBC Sport. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  36. ↑ Cryer, Andy (24 August 2014). "Barcelona 3-0 Elche". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  37. ↑ http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2270744/lionel-messi-and-luis-enrique-argued-in-barcelona-training-reveals-jeremy-mathieu
  38. ↑ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2371462-barcelona-are-we-seeing-the-reawakening-of-pep-guardiolas-side
  39. ↑ http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2014-2015/league/round-26/fc-barcelona_rayo-vallecano
  40. ↑ "Barcelona manager Luis Enrique targets Champions League title". skysports.com. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  41. ↑ Luis Enrique correrá el Maratón de las Arenas (Luis Enrique to run Marathon des Sables); Marca, 12 February 2008 (Spanish)
  42. ↑ Includes the Supercopa de España
  43. ↑ Luis Enrique Martínez García – Goals in International Matches; at RSSSF

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Luis Enrique Martínez García.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Sergi Barjuán		 FC Barcelona captain
2002–2004 		Succeeded by
Carles Puyol