It is not very common that the presentation of a coach has, nor is it for a moment, echoes of the arrival of a new player. Technicians do not usually talk about dreams fulfilled. Quique Setién , however, broke that rule to confess that his arrival at Camp Nou is the culmination of a long-cherished aspiration. "Not even in my best dreams could I have imagined being here. I am a very emotional person and today is a special day for me. I will try to convey to the players, the most important in this story, that confidence and that desire that I have now" , said the new coach of Barça.

"Yesterday I was walking next to the cows in my town and today I am in the sports city of Barcelona, ​​training the best players in the world. This is the best," said a Setién who signed his contract just before his presentation started. Although in principle it must last until June 30, 2022, the president, Josep Maria Bartomeu , made it very clear that next year, after the elections, it could be rescinded without problems. Among those present, in the front row, was Vice President Emili Rousaud , who is currently emerging as the continuing option that the current board will present to the elections.

Bartomeu, in addition, had to explain the circumstances of a relay on the bench as dizzying as, for many, unexpected. "For a long time we knew that the dynamics of the team were improved, although the results were very good, we are first in the League, and we are in eighth in the Champions League. You all knew it too, we listened to it in the gatherings and we read it in the press Ramon Planes , Eric Abidal , Javier Bordas and I always talked with Ernesto Valverde and in recent days we had commented that things were very improvable, "said the president, who revealed that the former technician already knew that they were looking for replacement .

"We talked with Valverde"

"I would have liked things to go differently, but they have been as they have been. Abidal and Planes have been talking to coaches for a long time, and nothing had ever come out, until a few days ago a name came out, and that tastes bad to me, because the club has always worked with great discretion and they are things of the future. We talked to Valverde all the time, always with a good vibes, because he is a very intelligent person and we were all in the same boat, "said a Bartomeu who wanted to remember that He kept the now former technician in his position almost against all odds.

"Last year there were a lot of requests for Valverde not to follow and I, personally, always trusted him. The dynamics were not good, we talked to him, and then internally we decided that it was best to give a boost to the team and the players with a change of coach. I liked Valverde's work a lot, but it was time to change, "said the Barca leader. Of course, he also thanked Setién for his commitment to Barça. "I want to publicly thank Quique for accepting this challenge. Barça has its difficulties, but also its rewards. Many of us know him not only as a coach, but also as a great player, who always had a good deal of the ball. That's why He is now a coach we like, who takes care of the game, the style. In that we fully agree, "he said.

The new Barca coach said he will talk to Valverde and try to take advantage of much of his legacy, but he also said that there will be those changes that ensure that he seeks the directive with his signing. "I have spoken with the players and I am sure that we will understand each other quickly, because what I want to convey to them already has it very assumed. We will have the necessary intensity so that matches like the one that escaped the other day do not escape. I have things very clear, I always listen to everyone, but then it is difficult to get the things I am convinced out of my mind. If we have to die with it, then we will die, "he reiterated.

"Especially for them to work"

Of course, he is delighted to lead players with such a high level as Barça has. But that does not mean that he is going to let the stage impose too much on him. "I have really enjoyed these 14 years watching this team, these players who have made me really enjoy football, every day, every game. In all there is always something that one rescues, that stays with it, which is nice for the I’m not yet fully aware of what it means to train the best player in the world and the teammates he has. I’ve talked to him and others, one thing is the admiration I feel, and another thing is that Messi is Messi , Busquets is Busquets, Piqué is Piqué ... It will be an extraordinary relationship, but everyone has to be in their place.I am a direct person, and if I see anything, I will try to convince them, especially to work, because talent they already have it, "he said.

Your arrival is a boost. Also, in this case, for grassroots football. "This club has an extraordinary quarry. I do not know in depth the majority of the players, but they will come with us and they will participate. Those of the first team must be clear that if the talent makes its way from below, they deserve it. That will allow none of the above to relax, and it is important because it is to send a message that is a stimulus for the kids below. If they really progress and earn it, they can play in the first team and be one more, " assured. For now, the young Riqui Puig , one of the last pearls of La Masia, already exercised under his orders with the first team.

He knows they will demand results. But first of all, he wanted to make it clear that his bet will be true to the style he likes so much in the Barca environment. "With regard to the drawing, I believe that the important thing really is the philosophy, to be clear about what we play. It is possible that at some point we value some change with respect to 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 they have used. Philosophy is not going to change, but drawing can do it, "he said. "When they told me, it didn't take me five minutes to accept. It was a surprise when they let me know. I never really thought that Barcelona was going to decide for me. I don't have an extensive curriculum or titles, I've just shown that I love this philosophy and that Betis and Las Palmas have played very well. I don't know if it was enough to get here, but I'm very grateful, "he settled.

Abidal: "I have seen many changes"

The technical secretary, Eric Abidal, meanwhile, wanted to be blunt about the final bet on Setién, after the names of Xavi Hernández or Ronald Koeman sounded throughout the weekend.

"Each coach has a plan, his way of working, his DNA. When making the decision, you have to think about the club, the situation and the project. Who has a project, we know that in football many things They may change, but we have full confidence in him and his technical staff . I have been in the training this morning and I have seen many changes. I think that we will be able to achieve the objectives that we have set ourselves. Respecting everyone we have talked to, for us, the perfect coach is Setién, "said Abidal.

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