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Next Barcelona manager odds: La Liga boss favourite for role after Luis Enrique statement
SEVILLA boss Jorge Sampaoli has emerged as the favourite with a leading bookmaker to replace Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.
Luis Enrique announces he is leaving as Barcelona manager
After a 6-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon in their La Liga encounter this evening, Enrique announced he would be leaving the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
He said: "It’s a very difficult decision for me, one I’ve thought about a lot, but I think I need to be true to myself and fair to my way of thinking.
"In the pre-season I had a meeting with Albert Soler (Barca’s director of professional sports) and Robert Fernández (Barca’s technical secretary) where I mooted the possibility that I might not renew my contract.
“They told me there was no rush to take the decision. That moment has arrived. I’m announcing it.
"The reason is I live my work looking for solutions and it gives me little time to rest."
Jorge Sampaoli is fancied by bookmakers to succeed Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique will leave Barcelona at the end of the season
They told me there was no rush to take the decision. That moment has arrived. I’m announcing it
A number of candidates have already been tipped to assume the hot seat, but Betfair have installed Sampaoli as the 17/10 favourite.
The former Chile coach has inspired Sevilla, guiding them to third in the La liga table.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has been priced as second favourite for the Barca post at 11/2.
Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, whose future at Arsenal remains unclear, is priced at 9/1 along with Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who is on the shortlist to replace the Frenchman.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti is the rank outsider at 33/1 to succeed Enrique.