Chelsea sacked Graham Potter on Sunday. From Germany they point out that the former Bayern coach Jurgen Nagelsmann is the favorite to occupy the bench of the English club. However, the German coach’s problems in arranging the settlement with the Bavarian club have caused Chelsea, Real Madrid’s rival in the Champions League quarterfinals, to consider other options. As AS has been able to learn, Luis Enrique is among that shortlist of candidates to lead the ‘blue’ team. For days, the name of the former Spanish coach has been on the table of sports director Christopher Vivell.
Iván de la Peña, Luis Enrique’s assistant at Roma and agent for Gavi or Eric García, among others, is the one who is negotiating with Chelsea on behalf of the Asturian coach. The hypothetical arrival of Luis Enrique to the English club Real Madrid-Chelsea on April 12 would fill with morbidity.
Luis Enrique, who was a Madrid player for five seasons, has repeatedly stated that his time in white does not bring back good memories. In fact, culé has always been declared after having been at Barcelona eight seasons as a player and three more as a coach. “For a Barça player it is always gratifying to feel whistled at the Santiago Bernabéu”, he blurted out before facing Real Madrid for the first time. At the Santiago Bernabéu, the hypothetical visit of Luis Enrique in charge of Chelsea would be seen as one more incentive and extra motivation.
Chelsea, however, is not the only Englishman who has noticed Luis Enrique. He has also been linked to Tottenham after the dismissal of Antonio Conte. The London club is still looking for a coach, and Italian Cristian Stellini is taking over in the meantime. The other club with which Luis Enrique has been linked is Manchester City, although in this case it would be to replace Guardiola if he did not continue next season.
While Chelsea does not defoliate the daisy of its next technician, the bench will be occupied on an interim basis by Bruno Saltor. The Spaniard is the third coach to sit on the bench at Stamford Bridge after Tuchel and Potter. If Luis Enrique finally arrives, the Asturian would be the fourth in a succession of coaches unprecedented in the club’s history.
