BARCELONA, March 1 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has confirmed on Wednesday he would leave the Spanish La Liga powerhouse at the end of the season.
He said he would leave after his contract runs out in the summer at a press conference following Barcelona's 6-1 rout of relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp.
Luis Enrique said it was a very difficult decision and stated "I have thought about a lot, but I think I need to be true to myself and fair to my way of thinking".
The coach said he needed time to rest. "I will need a rest and that is the main reason. I would like to thank the club for the confidence they have shown in me over my time here," he said, adding "these three years have been unforgettable."
Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said: "Luis Enrique has brought us great success and he can still bring us more. The players are motivated to do it," while the club accepts Luis Enrique's decision.
"He has been a great coach. Now it is time to end his spell in the best possible way," he said.
Luis Enrique has won eight trophies since he took over Barca in May, 2017.