Why Spain’s Luis Enrique will be in demand post-World Cup

When Luis Enrique announces his Spain squad for the World Cup on Friday, the football world will be braced for it. This teflon-tough, single-minded man loves to defy people’s expectations and lives to thwart his many enemies. We’re talking about someone who draws strength from criticism and controversy like cartoon character Popeye grew muscles after chugging a can of spinach.

So when Spain’s coach reads out the 26 chosen names, everyone will be on the edge of their seats as to whether the brilliant but injury-plagued Ansu Fati, dropped from the last squad, will travel to Qatar, whether the Spain coach and 36-year-old defender Sergio Ramos have reconciled, and whether he’ll infuriate Real Sociedad by risking taking Mikel Oyarzabal despite the forward not having played since March?

But there will be another frisson altogether, one that should intrigue you if you have an interest in the futures of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool or any of Europe’s forward-thinking elite clubs. Because this could easily be the last Spain squad that “Lucho” reads out.

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Given how superbly he’s done while in charge of La Roja — semifinalists at Euro 2020, finalists in the 2021 Nations League, once more in the final four of the 2023 Nations League semifinal next June — and with relatively limited resources, there will be many fans and observers around Spain hoping this isn’t the beginning of an extended adios. But the fact remains that this talented, driven and aggressive 52-year-old is out of contract with the Spanish FA at of the end of the World Cup.

All attempts to renew his deal have, so far, been rebuffed. Already, the drums of Spanish football are beating out the message that Atleti are very tempted to try and cope with the declining returns of the Diego Simeone regime by asking Luis Enrique whether he fancies a return to club football when he’s finished his work in Qatar.

It all came to a head a couple of days ago, when former Real Madrid, Valencia and national team goalkeeper Santiago Canizares said on radio: “Perhaps the best thing for ‘Cholo’ [Simeone] and Atletico is for their paths to separate — so as not to stagnate. They’ve not played good football for a couple of seasons. One name comes to mind, with the character to handle Atleti, and that’s Luis Enrique.”

Also, I know one LaLiga-winning, European Cup finalist with a big Barca past who believes that if Luis Enrique seems on the verge of returning to club football, then Barcelona president Joan Laporta would have a serious dilemma as to whether to watch such an iconic Camp Nou player and coach reinforce one of his enemies, or whether he should strike first by re-hiring him instead.

The counterpoint right now is that Spain’s coach enjoys a very attractive lifestyle: quality…