Luis Enrique says he’s leaving Barcelona at end of season

FC Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique, center, stands next Lionel Messi after been substituted during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sporting Gijon at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Luis Enrique says he will not stay as Barcelona coach after this season. The surprise announcement was made following the team’s 6-1 win over Sporting Gijon in the Spanish league on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) FC Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique, center, stands next Lionel Messi after been substituted during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sporting Gijon at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Luis Enrique says he will not stay as Barcelona coach after this season. The surprise announcement was made following the team’s 6-1 win over Sporting Gijon in the Spanish league on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

By Associated Press March 2, 2017 3 min read

MADRID (AP) – The Luis Enrique era at Barcelona will end this season.

The coach said Wednesday he will leave the Spanish champions to get some rest after three years in charge.

He made the surprise announcement following the team’s 6-1 win over Sporting Gijon in the Spanish league.

“I need to rest,” Luis Enrique told the post-match news conference. “I won’t be the coach of Barcelona next season.

“It was a very difficult decision for me, very well-thought out,” the 46-year-old former Spain international said. “The reason clearly had to do with the way of life I need to have in this profession, constantly having to find solutions, constantly trying to improve my team. That means very little time to rest, very little time to disconnect. After this season it will be good for me to get some rest.”