Luis Enrique has had the best start of a Barcelona coach in the history of the club after 50 games.
Since assuming control of the Catalan club last summer, Enrique has won 42 of his 50 matches, along with five defeats and three draws. Of the 42 wins, 25 have come in La Liga, eight in the Copa del Rey and nine in the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona are currently leading La Liga by two-points over Real Madrid, have advanced to the Copa del Rey final and yesterday punched their ticket to the Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite his team’s success, Enrique has been widely criticized and scrutinized by Barcelona supporters this season. The manager’s tactics and man-management has raised eyebrows around the club, with Enrique having apparent fall-outs with stars Lionel Messi and Neymar in recent months.
However, in the days following their “disagreements” with the coach, both players excelled on the pitch and later dismissed reports of a poor relationship with Enrique.
Regardless of the negative publicity he’s received, Enrique is now statistically the best coach in the history of Barcelona after 50 games.
He surpassed the previous 50-game records held by legendary Barcelona coaches Helenio Herrera and Pep Guardiola.
Herrera is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport. he Argentine won four La Liga titles (with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona) and three Serie A titles with Inter Milan; while also winning two European Cups with the Italian side.
The legendary coach won 40 of his first 50 games with Barcelona between the 1957-58 and 58-59 seasons.
While Guardiola won 37 of 50 games after being appointed manager in May 2008.
The former Barcelona player would ultimately lead the club to three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Champions League titles in four seasons.
