Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien has opened up on the difficulties he experienced while coaching Lionel Messi.
Setien lasted just over six months upon replacing Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona manager before his dismissal in August.
The former Real Betis boss oversaw 16 wins, four draws, and five defeats in his 25 matches. His last loss, an 8-2 thumping against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, sealed his demise at Camp Nou.
He was often left to rely on Messi’s brilliance to salvage results in the latter half of last season. And the Argentine didn’t disappoint, managing an impressive 15 goals and 19 assists in 24 appearances under Setien.
But there were signs of friction between the pair, particularly on Messi’s side. The Barcelona skipper revealed in his explosive interview with Goal last August that he ‘suffered’ in training and the dressing room last season – implying dissent during Setien’s reign.
🗣️ — Setién: "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." pic.twitter.com/yfFUBCtKxn
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 1, 2020
Messi also publicly contradicted the coach’s views on the squad and was reportedly one of several first-team players who felt he wasn’t suitable for Barca.
But now Setien has opened up on his relationship with Leo by hailing him as the greatest of all-time, but conceded he found it difficult to manage the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I think Messi is the best of all time,” Setien told former Real Madrid and Spain manager Vicente del Bosque 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.”
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