NEW Barcelona manager Quique Setien was rejected by Watford for their vacant managerial job just last month. The Spaniard, 61, is said to have interviewed for the position at the Hornets in December – with Nigel Pearson ultimately getting the job. But now Setien, formerly of Real Betis and Equatorial Guinea, will be in charge […]
NEW Barcelona manager Quique Setien was rejected by Watford for their vacant managerial job just last month.
The Spaniard, 61, is said to have interviewed for the position at the Hornets in December – with Nigel Pearson ultimately getting the job.
But now Setien, formerly of Real Betis and Equatorial Guinea, will be in charge of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, after signing an 18-month contract earlier this week.
The Spanish giants failed in their pursuit of club legend Xavi to take over from the sacked Ernesto Valverde.
Watford sacked Quique Sanches Flores in December on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Southampton.
The Hornets interviewed a host of potential new bosses in bid to find the perfect replacement.
But Setien failed in his bid to take over at Vicarage Road, having been out of work since leaving Betis at the end of the 2018-19 season, according to the Evening Standard.
And now the veteran boss has revealed he was “walking past cows in the village” when he learned of Barcelona’s shock interest.
After being named new Nou Camp boss, Setien said: “Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being here.
“Yesterday I was walking past the cows in my village, now I’m here training the best players in the world.”
Setien takes over with Barcelona top of the league – ahead of rivals Real Madrid on goal difference – and is looking forward to working with Lionel Messi.
The 61-year-old said: “I have enjoyed the last 12 years sat in front of the television watching him and these players who have made football so enjoyable to watch and it has been every day, every match.
“And to now become the coach of the best player in the world I am still not completely conscious of what this means.
“But we have spoken and one thing is the admiration and another is that now I have a series of players who have to be in their right place.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a good relationship with all the players.”
