When Luis Enrique announced Spain squad for the World Cup on Friday, the football world will prepare for it. This unique, tough man likes to defy everyone’s expectations and lives to thwart his many enemies. We’re talking about someone who draws strength from criticism and controversy like the cartoon character Popeye who has grown muscle after slapping a can of spinach.
So when the Spain coach read out the 26 chosen names, everyone would stand in their seats to see if the brilliant but injured player Ansu Fatidropped from the final squad, will go to Qatar, albeit the Spain coach and the 36-year-old defender Sergio Ramos reconciled, and is he angry? Real Sociedad by taking risks Mikel Oyarzabal even though the striker hasn’t played since March?
But there’s something else entirely, one that will make you curious if you’re interested in the future of Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, City of Manchester, Liverpool or any of Europe’s elite forward-thinking clubs. Because this could easily be the last Spain squad that “Lucho” reads out.
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With how well he did when he was in charge La Roja – reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020, reach the final of the Nations League 2021, again reach the final quarter-finals of the 2023 Nations League semi-finals next June – and with relatively limited resources, there will be many fans Tombs and observers around Spain hope this does not happen the beginning of an expansion adios. But the fact remains that this talented, energetic and energetic 52-year-old is out of contract with the Spanish FA at the end of the World Cup.
So far, all attempts to renew his contract have been turned down. For now, the drums of Spanish football are sending out the message that Atleti is keen to try to cope with the decline of Diego Simeone’s regime again by asking Luis Enrique if he is eager to return to the ball. kick the club when he finishes his job in Qatar or not.
It all happened a few days ago, when before Real Madrid, Valencia and national team goalkeeper Santiago Canizares said on radio: “Perhaps the best thing for ‘Cholo’ [Simeone] and Atletico want their paths separate – so as not to stagnate. They haven’t played good football for a couple of seasons. One name comes to mind, with the character handling Atleti, and that’s Luis Enrique. “
Also, I know someone who has won La Liga, has won the European Cup with Barca’s big past, who believes that if Luis Enrique looks like he is about to return to club football, then the president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta will have a dilemma as to whether to watch such a game. The iconic Camp Nou player and coach strengthens one of his enemies, or whether he should strike first by re-hiring him instead.
The counterpoint right now is that the Spain coach enjoys a very appealing lifestyle: quality time with his family in his Mediterranean village, his ability to follow his almost obsessive passion yourself to stay fit, slim, healthy and competitive, balanced with intense soccer activities. that allows him to throw all his energy into a project without the daily, weekly, monthly wear and tear that all top club coaches suffer.
However, his Spain team – heavily reliant on Barcelona’s overplayed and over-pressurized midfield Gavi, Sergio Busquets and Pedal – performing against Costa Rica, Germany and Japan in the group match in Qatar there is in fact a very attractive “safe” chance to win the title as soon as June against either Croatia, Italy or server Netherlands at the UEFA Nations League next year.
It’s easy to imagine Luis Enrique extending his contract until then or so, but name the clubs he would be allowed to leave without remuneration if they offered him the chance. The association takes over the position of coach. What could this mean? Simply put, any club interested in his service, either immediately or for the 2023-24 season, needs to jostle for a spot now.
The last words on the subject, from the president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, were nothing short of encouraging. It feels as if he is preparing to impose his will – or his ego – on the same situation he did with Julen Lopetegui days before Spain kicked off Russia in the 2018 World Cup.
Rubiales told a radio program: “[Luis Enrique] may or may not continue. And it could be his decision or ours [the FA] decision. It is part of football and he will understand if it is our decision, just as we will understand if it is his decision. “
Now, I’m not an employment representative or attorney, but Rubiales’ words seem a far cry from “we want him to stay, it’s imperative he knows how important he is to him.” we…we’ll find a way to convince him to stay…”
It could be that Pep Guardiola is getting ready for an explosive, lengthy trip at Manchester City when he realizes he is about to enjoy a second “Messi-esque” experience thanks to Erling Haaland.
In spite of Lionel Messi and Haaland have no physical resemblance and completely different play styles, what binds them is their superhuman ability to take the game away from their rivals. Why wouldn’t you want to surf a few super-successful seasons on that wave? However, if Guardiola likes to fulfill one of his dreams, coaching Brazil (or even England) to win the World Cup in 2026, there is no better candidate to do his fundamental job and stretch it than Luis Enrique.
Attitude, mentality, philosophy of football, plus a willingness to promote and trust talent regardless of age: so much has been linked between Guardiola and Luis Enrique, former Barca teammates.
Who knows who will buy Liverpool, how fast, or how does Jurgen Klopp feel about the possibility of a change of keeper? But when Klopp finally chooses to take his much-discussed vacation and travel the world with his wife, Ulla, Luis Enrique would be an attractive candidate there as well.
The Spain national team coach was an important part of recovering from the most traumatic family pain because even after he and his family mourned the passing of his daughter, Xana, in 2019, the drive to return to re-apply his talent and volcanic energy has become impossible to ignore. It’s a cold truth: he’s an incredibly good coach, incredibly smart in his field, forward-thinking, and someone who constantly strives to find small improvements to be able to play. interesting football.
In the past, he has told me: “For my coaching, the most important idea is ‘attack’.” When my staff and I choose any team, we first consider what our players can offer up front. That concept is ‘pressure.’ My teams attack methodically, arrange properly so that when they lose the ball, they can put pressure on the opponent and win it back.
“The third important idea is ‘ambition.’ That means my team plays with the same attitude to whoever they are facing, wherever they are, regardless of the score. We attack and defend the same in every game. So, I now have an attacking philosophy that takes risks, requires players to play the game against opponents and be decisive in a match.”
If he reads this, he’ll be furious. None of these are the ones he wants to stand in the way of Spain punching (probably above) their weight in Qatar next month, which brings us back to their squad announcement. he.
It’s been a year since several newspapers in Madrid mocked his inclusion of 17-year-old Gavi in the Nations League’s typical squad to face European champions, Italy. I’ve heard some journalists talk, after the coach’s press conference, and they really believe that the Spaniard is talking about picking a kid with very few first-team appearances. Barcelona for the absolute opposite and to incite the ‘anti-Lucho’ media.
They were wrong, and they really are. Gavi now has 12 caps for the national team and is a central part of Spain’s World Cup campaign. Could there be anything similar around this time?
Then there’s Ramos. At one time, the former Madrid captain was obsessed with statistics, he had more than 180 caps and his international undefeated count. Luis Enrique thought of Ramos’ world as a defender, as a captain, as a professional footballer. Guys like those two don’t make “love,” but this is the next best thing.
Ramos told Luis Enrique before the World Cup qualifier against Kosovo in March 2021 that he was fine and fit enough to start. He played the last four minutes of the 3-1 win, returned to his club injured, missed several weeks for Madrid and Luis Enrique felt as though he had a wool pulled over his eyes; defender has not played for Spain since then.
Now he fits and plays well for PSG, while La Roja have a masterpiece of left-footed centre-backs, but not the right-footed partner they need. Before facing PSG Juventus Recently during a Champions League match, Ramos admitted “everyone knows what playing for my country means to me: I feel fit and fine, but it depends manager.”
Did Luis Enrique forgive Ramos, call him back and even re-establish him as captain? It’s a big call, and it has to be right: no gray area has two men with such terrifying characters.
Keep an eye on this story. At Euro 2020, Spain twice scored 5 goals, scored the tournament’s own own goal, won a dramatic penalty shootout and lost 1. In the last Nations League, they defeated the champions. Europe and rip open the cage of world champions. Luis Enrique has never been, and never will be, controversy, intensity or entertainment. His players revere him and are extremely dedicated, meaning that if this tournament is his last against Spain, win, lose or draw, it will be fiery.
