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Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman says he disagrees with predecessor Quique Setien’s comments about Lionel Messi as difficult to handle.
Setién lasted eight months as Barça manager, with an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in August the final straw after losing the league title to Real Madrid.
Koeman returned to the club where he played from 1989 to 1995 when he replaced Setien at the helm, and the former Everton and Netherlands manager said he has a good relationship with Messi, who stayed at the club after looking for a summer outing.
“I respect everyone’s choice, but for me Leo is the best player in the world,” Koeman said ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League game at home to Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.
“I see the ambition he has and his winning character every day. He is not a player that I have difficulties with. He is the captain and I talk to him every week about things on the field and things in the locker room. [maintain] a good relationship with him.
“I see things differently and I do not agree with Setien, although I respect his opinion. If that’s what he says, that’s how it is for him.”
What Setien said about Messi
Setien said The country: “It is true that there are players who are not easy to handle, including Leo. It is difficult when someone is used to winning.
“You have to keep in mind that he is the best footballer of all time. How am I going to change it? If they have accepted it for what it is for many years and have not changed it.
Quique Setien was fired after Barcelona lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich
“There is another facet beyond the player and it is more difficult to handle. Much more difficult. It is something inherent in many athletes that you can see in the Michael Jordan documentary. You see things that you do not expect.
“The [Messi] he is very reserved and only shows you the things he wants you to see. He doesn’t talk much. “
The presidential leader of Barça wants the meeting of Messi and Pep
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Last week, Barcelona’s presidential leader Victor Font said he wanted Pep Guardiola to return to the club and “has no doubt” that Messi will stay.
The current president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, resigned last week, along with his board of directors, before an expected vote of no confidence next month.
It comes after months of widespread criticism over the club’s worsening finances and the team’s decline on the pitch, which came to a head with their 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in August.
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Font has quickly become the favorite to succeed Bartomeu and told him exclusively Sky Sports News He has a clear plan to return the glory days to the giants of La Liga that involve the old Barça dynasty, giving new life to the current one.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola replied: “I am incredibly happy here. I am delighted to be in Manchester and hope I can do a good job this season to stay longer.”
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