Juan Carlos Unzué, Second of Luis Enrique at FC Barcelona, Leaves the Door Open to Becoming the Next Coach

"I hope I don't have more time for cycling next season," smiled the Navarrese coach, who confirmed that "at least it is not my intention" to make clear his intention to continue coaching... Although without revealing, of course, whether he will do it as the main coach of Barça.

As a coach, the moment to rest and be able to deactivate will surely come," added Unzué, whose candidacy to occupy Luis Enrique's position next season is gaining ground at the Catalan club.

Goalkeeper coach in Frank Rijkaard's era at Barça, Unzué led Numancia in the 2010-11 season in the Second Division and after a short period at Racing, he became Luis Enrique's assistant at Celta de Vigo in 2013, staying by his side at Barça since 2014.

Very well valued in the Barcelona locker room, where he maintains a special relationship with Lionel Messi, Unzué, 49 years old, is appreciated as a continuity solution, similar to what Tito Vilanova did in 2012 when Pep Guardiola left the club.

Luis Enrique, who has preferred to stay out of any speculation regarding his succession, has never hidden, however, his belief that his collaborator "is fully prepared" to occupy the bench and has staunch defenders at the club who place him in a good position to be the chosen one.

Practically ruled out the option of Sampaoli, whom it has been claimed from Camp Nou was never a very serious candidate, the name of Ernesto Valverde, who is out of contract with Athletic Bilbao, has been in the foreground for weeks, with the news emerging in Italy on Monday that placed Massimiliano Allegri, claiming that Barça has offered him the position.

Unzué, however, maintains influence among the squad that could end up giving him the job. And even more so after he himself, in the first person, ruled out following in the footsteps of Luis Enrique to take a sabbatical year.

His statements, short but insinuating, this Monday put him, without a doubt, in the spotlight.