Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has confirmed that he will not be in charge next season, saying that he 'needs a rest.'

Enrique has been in charge since 2014, when he replaced Tata Martino, and he has won La Liga twice as well as the Copa del Rey and Champions League once apiece.

His first season in charge culminated in a treble when Barca's attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar took the football world by storm.

Speaking after the 6-1 win over Sporting Gijon he said "I won't be at Barcelona next season. I need to rest."

There has been intense speculation about Enrique's future this season with the club behind Real Madrid in the league and suffering a 4-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 match against PSG.

BREAKING NEWS: @LUISENRIQUE21 announces he will not continue as Barça manager next season. #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/pqYOnWxUy9

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 1, 2017

Plenty of pundits have also criticised Enrique for not playing the style of football that Barcelona are associated with.

Early reports and odds have Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli as the favourite to replace him.

Sampaoli has led Sevilla to third in the league this season and he has drawn plenty of praise for their performances against both Real and Barca.

The other managers mentioned as possible replacements include Ronald Koeman of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino.