New Barcelona Coach Quique Setien has revealed that taking over as the club’s new coach was beyond his ‘wildest dreams’ after being appointed on Tuesday, MySportDab reports.
The 61-year-old said: ‘Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine being here today. Yesterday I was walking past cows in my village, now I’m here with the best players in the world.’
Asked about coaching Lionel Messi, the former Betis coach added: ‘I have enjoyed the last 12 years watching him and many players who make football so enjoyable to watch and it has been every day, every game.
‘And now to become the coach of the best player in the world I am still not sure of what this means exactly.
‘But we have talked and one thing is the admiration and another is that now I have a variety of players who have to be in their right place. I’m sure I will have a great relationship with all the players.’
MySportDab understands Setien also spoke about Sacked Coach Ernesto Valverde.
‘I have a good relationship with Valverde always and I will try to contact him,’ he said.
‘Valverde is leaving me a team that is top of La Liga. While I was out of job, I thought I would take over a team in serious trouble, it’s not usual that you take over a team at the top of the table.’
Setien 61, took his first training session as Manager on Tuesday morning before signing his contract until June 2022.
‘I’m very excited about the challenge and this project,’ he added.
‘That is the biggest thing I have to make the players understand. I have to show the players the plans and usually it’s easy for me to transmit that.’
Valverde was sacked despite Barcelona being top of La Liga and in the Champions League Last-16 round.
