FC Barcelona welcomes new manager

Following a less than sparkling campaign FC Barcelona have said goodbye to manager Gerardo Martino and hired Luis Enrique in the Argentinian’s place.

The club is hoping that the former player, reportedly on a two-year contract, can help restore Barca to its usual glory.

This was the first season in six years without a major trophy for the Catalan giants. On Saturday they failed to defend their La Liga title reign, losing out to Atletico Madrid.

Enrique, 44, is one of the few players to have had successful careers with both Real Madrid and Barcelona. He left Real in 1996 to join rival Barcelona, where he stayed until 2004.

Rumours were flying that Enrique would be appointed as the club’s new coach after stepping down from his position at Celta Vigo last week.

It is hoped that he will restore a line of successful, club-affiliated managers most recently seen in the form of Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova.

In a club statement Barcelona also confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is joining the team from German side Borussia Monchengladbach to replace Victor Valdes.

The club also revealed that goalkeeper Jose Pinto would not be returning after six-and-a-half seasons as Valdes’ backup and starter in the Copa del Rey.

Enrique is expected to make a number of changes to the team so that they can return to the top of the tables next season. He will be tasked with bringing back the spark and competitive edge that Barca lacked at crucial moments in the season.