Luis Enrique Plans Year off After Barcelona Reign, Wants to Break Records

Luis Enrique has insisted he'll take "at least a year" off from the sport when his contract as Barcelona manager comes to an end, following in the footsteps of former Camp Nou chief Pep Guardiola.

The tactician is eager to break records with the Blaugrana before taking his leave but told Barca TV he intends to step down from management for a break in the foreseeable future (h/t Goal's Dom Farrell):

"

When I leave Barca I'm sure I'll take at least a year off. We have to keep improving. This team has what it takes to break records. We've got some really attractive challenges ahead of us. Being praised constantly weakens you. You have to develop every year. The biggest challenge is to keep winning and kicking on in every competition.

"

Guardiola took a yearlong sabbatical from the sport following his exit from Barcelona in the summer of 2012, recharging his batteries before taking over at Bayern Munich prior to the 2013-14 campaign.

Barcelona are in good shape to defend their trophy haul this season, sitting at the top of La Liga heading into the Christmas period and having qualified for the knockout stages of this term's Champions League.

Real Madrid's shock elimination from the Copa del Rey has also taken one of the club's major rivals off the grid in their search for domestic glory, advancing their hopes to claim another haul of silverware.

However, La Liga writer Rafael Hernandez recently suggested Enrique holds "no bond" with the Barcelona fans, meaning perhaps some supporters won't be saddened to see the back of their incumbent boss:

Enrique's comments will raise speculation as to whether he will walk away when his contract expires in the summer of 2017, giving the manager 18 months to progress as the club's guide.

The 45-year-old added his preference for a relaxed dressing room and a friendly relationship with his playing staff, and he insisted upon the desire to entertain the fans first and foremost:

"

I like to be close to the players and listen to what they've got to say and feel. Then I make decisions from a coach's point of view, thinking about what's best for the team. The players are smart enough to understand that.

I like there to be a good atmosphere in the dressing room, for music to be played before matches. We have to entertain the fans and have a good time ourselves.

"

Barca did suffer a setback in their La Liga title defence on Saturday and were surprised by a 2-2 draw at home to Deportivo La Coruna, allowing Atletico Madrid to draw level on points at Spain's summit.

The Catalan giants won every major trophy on offer in Enrique's first season at the helm, but the manager is still hunting down Guardiola's record of 14 titles in four years as Barcelona boss.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

His maiden campaign suggested the ex-Barca attacker is more than capable of besting that tally, moulding his Blaugrana lineup into one capable of contending for Europe's top honours.

However, it appears Enrique already knows his exit plan when he's seen enough.