Gerardo Martino steps down as Barca coach following side's La Liga final defeat

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino will reportedly step down from his position by mutual consent after his side failed to win the La Liga title on Saturday.

Barcelona needed to beat Atletico Madrid in the final game of the season on Saturday, but a 1-1 draw gave the latter the title instead, which saw Barcelona finish the season without a major trophy for the first time since 2007-08.

According to the BBC, Martino, who replaced the late Tito Vilanova in July last year and signed a two-year contract at the Nou Camp club, apologised for failing to deliver for the club and thanked the club for their confidence in him.

Martino, who oversaw 40 wins in his 59 games in charge of the 2012-13 champions, failed to deliver domestic or European success with Barcelona exiting the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, when they lost to Atletico Madrid and also losing to Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey.

Martino also said that he deeply regrets not having achieved the goals that this club has always set, adding that his gratitude went out to the 'great players' who have always made him proud.

Former Barcelona player Luis Enrique, who is to leave his role as Celta Vigo coach this summer, has been linked with replacing Martino, the report added.