Luis Enrique quits Celta Vigo amid Barcelona return rumours

Celta Vigo coach and Barcelona legend Luis Enrique is to leave his post at the Galician outfit at the end of the season, with speculation mounting he will replace Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino as manager of the Catalan giants.

Argentine boss Martino may need to win La Liga, in short record a home victory over Atletico Madrid on the final day, in order to keep his job. Barca are odds-on at 17/20 to defeat the Spanish capital club at the Nou Camp, and 5/6 to be crowned champions.

Coral give even-money on Atletico winning their first top-flight title since 1996, and Diego Simeone’s side just need a draw (12/5) to clinch it. It’s 10/3 on an away victory.

“The time has come to announce that I am not staying in Vigo next season,” Enrique said, ahead of Celta’s trip to Valencia. He is midway through a two-year contract and 15/4 to end his tenure with victory at the Mestalla.

Former Barcelona B and Roma boss Enrique has recorded a number of impressive results in La Liga this term. Vigo have done the double over Europa League winners Sevilla, and beaten both Real Madrid and Valencia at home.

These eye-catching performances are understood to have caught the eye of the Barca hierarchy, who have always been keen on having former players in charge. Martino, although a distinguished coach in South America, does not have these links to the Catalan club.

Enrique, who went to three World Cups with Spain and captained Barcelona between 2002 and 2004, succeeded Pep Guardiola as boss of the reserves in 2008, but left the Nou Camp in 2011 to strike out into management at Roma. He left the Eternal City outfit after just one season, however.

Martino may be replaced even if he steers Barca to the title, because they crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Atletico. They also lost in the Copa del Rey final by the same scoreline to Real Madrid.