Former boss Quique Setien opens up on his relationship with Lionel Messi.
Quique Setien last only six months at Camp Nou before getting replaced by former Barca player Ronald Koeman.
Barca’s 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League was the pivotal point that led to his sacking.
“I think Messi is the best of all time,” Setien said in an interview for El Pais.
“There have been other great players who have been great, but the continuity that this boy has had throughout the years has not been had by anyone.
“Leo is difficult to manage. Who am I to change him! If they have accepted him as he is for years and have not changed him.
“There’s another facet beyond just the player and it’s more difficult to manage. Much more difficult. It’s something inherent in many athletes that can be seen in the Michael Jordan documentary (“The Last Dance”). You see things you don’t expect.
“He’s very reserved but he makes you see the things that he wants. He doesn’t talk much.”
“There are millions of people that think that Messi, or any other player, is more important than the club or the coach,” Setien added.
“This player [Messi], like others around him, have been winning titles for 14 years, winning everything.
“After my departure, one thing that is clear to me is that at certain times I should have taken other decisions but there’s something above you: the club and the fans. They are above a president, a player, a coach. You owe the respect to them [fans] and you have to do what is most convenient for the club.”
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