Could Spain boss Luis Enrique be heading to Man Utd?
Cameron Smith
- 29 Mar 2022 19:25 BST
- 3 min read
Spain head coach Luis Enrique reportedly has "admirers" at Manchester United as he continues to be linked with the role of manager at the club.
Head coach Ralf Rangnick will become a consultant at Old Trafford at the end of the season, leaving his current role vacant for next campaign.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and Paris Saint-Germain's former Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino are understood to remain the leading candidates for the job, but Enrique is reportedly still on Man Utd's shortlist.
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Manchester Evening News have reported that Enrique, who is currently planning for Spain's World Cup campaign later this calendar year, is a favourite among those who matter at Old Trafford.
The former Barcelona head coach, who delivered only their second ever treble in the 2014/15 season, reportedly has "admirers" at Man Utd, and despite interest in Ten Hag and Pochettino, bringing Enrique back to club management is understood to be on the cards.
The man who masterminded Barcelona's Remontada comeback against PSG is a highly respected coach within the game, but hasn't managed a club side since leaving the Blaugrana in 2017.
He guided Spain to the European Championship semi-finals last year, but fell to eventual champions Italy on penalties. The nation hasn't won a trophy since Euro 2012, but will hope to change that in Qatar at the end of 2022.
What has Enrique said?
The 51-year-old is currently on international duty with Spain, leading them to a 2-1 win over Albania in their first friendly of the March break thanks to a 90th minute winner from RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo.
However, in a press conference during the international break, Enrique was asked about his chances of landing the Man Utd job and he suggested it wasn't something he is open to. The Spaniard simply replied: "Is it April Fools Day?"
That comment suggests that Enrique isn't considering the job and wishes to stay on as Spain national team head coach. Manchester Evening News have reported that Ten Hag is the current favourite for the job, and if Enrique has ruled himself out of the race, then the current Ajax head coach's chances may have increased even further.
