Luis Enrique has claimed that he will step down as manager of Barcelona if he stops receiving the full backing of his players.

The Catalan giants have hit a rough patch both on and off the pitch of late, with defeat against Real Sociedad last time out costing the club the chance to take top spot in La Liga.

Meanwhile, sporting director Andoni Zubizaretta was sacked from his position last week, while his assistant Carlos Puyol also quit on the eve of the presidential election being brought forward by a year.

Asked about his own role at the club, Enrique told reporters: "I work everyday 100% but I assure you that I'll quit if my players don't follow me. That hasn't happened during my career as coach. The players and technical team, we are not involved in these aspects.

"We are just focused on the things we can improve, and we avoid everything that is not positive. I know this is not against me, it is against everything that surrounds Barcelona. This situations have happened in past seasons, and will happen again."

Barcelona also recently saw their appeal against an 18-month transfer ban rejected.