Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says he is sure that Luis Enrique will remain as the club's coach next season, even though the Spaniard has regularly refused to talk about his future as the team home in on a historic Treble.
Former Barca midfielder Luis Enrique joined the club last summer on a two year-deal, but was reportedly close to the sack last January after some indifferent results and a training ground row with Blaugrana star Lionel Messi.
Such disputes look a long way past now, with the team having already won this season's La Liga and Copa del Rey trophies, and big favourites for Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin.
However, Luis Enrique has refused to talk about his plans past the end of the season, amid reports that the firing of his close friend and former teammate Andoni Zubizarreta during January's crisis has led to a breakdown in the relationship between Blaugrana coach and club chief -- especially with a presidential election due this summer at the Camp Nou.
Bartomeu, however, told El Larguero that despite Luis Enrique's silence on the issue he had "no doubt" that the Asturian had the energy to continue in the demanding job for many years to come.
"I know what he says in the press conferences, but I have no doubt he will continue," Bartomeu said. "I do not believe he wants to leave, I am excited about him staying. To be Barca coach is very demanding, with a lot of pressure, but I see him with the energy for many more years."
Asked by reporters at this week's pre Champions League final media open day at Barca's Ciutat Esportiva training ground, departing club captain Xavi Hernandez said he did not know what his former teammate would do, but he hoped for the good of everyone involved that he stayed on as coach.
"I do not know, he will be doing his press conference later, you can ask him then," Xavi said. "He has shown what he has shown, we have won with him, and his spectacular set-up. He has been a very good leader for the team. We have played and trained very well. Not easy for a coach in their first year at Barcelona, so I hope he stays, for the good of Barca. And this is best place for him."