Luis Enrique would love to take over Spain job after Vicente Del Bosque

Luis Enrique would love to take over Spain job after Vicente Del Bosque

FC Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is not a fan of being evasive. The Asturian seems to have two modes: either to not respond to a question which he feels is out of place; or to answer directly and condifently. 

The latter happened on Friday in his press conference previewing the Rayo Vallecano game. Asked about managing Spain, he said: “If I would like to manage the national team? Yes, I would. A lot.” Vicente del Bosque, in principle, is unlikely to continue beyond next summer’s European Championships. 

Personal ambitions aside, Luis Enrique remains calm in the face of Argentina possible rushing Lionel Messi back. “I don’t know about those rumours,” he said about the 28-year-old being ushered back for November’s game against Brazil. 

“I am sure the AFA and Gerardo Martino want the same us, which is for Leo to recover as soon as possible, but we cannot rush that by putting a date on it, even if we miss him when he’s not here.”

He also added that Messi and Luis Suarez have both benefitted by being able to remain in Barcelona while the international break has been on. 

He also spoke about Santos wanting Neymar to be banned for six months, although he didn’t seem to take the threat too seriously. “Only six months? Why not six years.”

Regarding January transfers, Luis Enrique caught reporters by surprise by saying that the club have not told him anything about the budget. The Asturian said: “I will not reveal anything that we are working on, but we have been doing things since the summer. And no, nobody has told me anything [about the budget].”