When and how Luis Enrique won over Gerard Pique
The Barcelona manager took measures to get the best out of the defender when he arrived at the club
Luis Enrique lived with Gerard Pique a similar -- with clear nuances -- experience to the one Pep Guardiola lived with Lionel Messi. He won him over from day one and, unlike Pep and Leo, they still speak.
The first decision Luis Enrique took was to punish him, leaving him on the bench or out of the squad on various occasions. It was his way of marking his territory, a way of saying that Pique would not have a future under him if he didn’t make football his priority.
Pique, who always admitted that training was not his passion, quickly took the message on board. Not just because he’s intelligent, but because he was 27 and he realised his career did have an expiry date. As does everyone’s.
They were destined to get on because they share a common friend (Carles Puyol) and their relationship soon smoothed out. Pique took a step forward and since then has been a permanent fixture under Luis Enrique. He’s not been a substitute since.
