FC Barcelona apparently wanted to sign Marcelo Gallardo instead of Quique Setien as Ernesto Valverde’s successor – but he canceled.
Ex-coach Quique Setien was apparently only the second choice of the Spanish top club FC Barcelona for the post of head coach when he took office in January 2020. Those in charge of the Catalans were looking for a successor to the dismissed Ernesto Valverde.
Like the Argentinian TV channel TyC Sports reported that the Barca bosses actually wanted to sign ex-professional Marcelo Gallardo. But the now 45-year-old canceled the club of compatriot and superstar Lionel Messi.
Barcelona: Quique Setien sacked after a 2-8 clap against Bayern
Gallardo, coach of the traditional Argentine club River Plate since 2014, had just started the pre-season season with his club and did not want to turn his back on the club that trusted him as a player and coach, the report said.
Instead, the then clubless Setien hired the Blaugrana. His era lasted only a few months before the club parted ways with him after the 8-2 swat in the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich in August.
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