"Messi? He is the best ever but he is difficult to manage": Quique Setien said in a chat with Vicente De Bosque published today in El Pais.
The former Barcelona coach speaks for the first time since his sack last summer in the aftermath of the 2-8 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Setien talks about his eight months on the blaugrana bench defined as "extraordinary" and also about Leo Messi.
"The experience at Barcelona was extraordinary - the words of Setien - I had the opportunity to experience something unique.
I told the players that I had never been in a dressing room like that, that I was with the best players in the world."
Setien spoke to De Bosque about the difficulty in coaching Messi.
"He is the best ever. There have been other great players, but the continuity he has had over the years has not had anyone, not even Pelè - the words of the former Blaugrana coach - but there is another side, which is not that of the player, which is more complicated to manage. Much more complicated. Something that is seen in many athletes. "
He is very reserved - adds Setien speaking of the Argentine - but he makes you understand what he wants.
He doesn't talk much, but with his eyes he tells you everything.
After my farewell I realized that at certain times I would have to make other decisions, but there is something that matters more than yourself: the club.
And it matters more than the president, the players and the coach.
The club and the fans, you have to respect.
And there are millions of people who think Messi is more important than the club and the manager.
Because he is someone who in 14 years has made them win anything.
But the truth is that there are players who are complicated to manage and Leo is one of them.
He is the best ever and who am I to change him? "
Setien also talks about the debacle against Bayern:" it damaged me, you go down in the history of Barça with that defeat.
I have my percentage of blame but then I discovered that the decision had already been made before 2-8 ".