Former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has been talking about what it’s like to manage Lionel Messi and how easy it is to coach the Argentina international.
Valverde was fired in January after two-and-a-half years at the club where he won two league titles and the Copa del Rey but oversaw some painful Champions League exits.
The 56-year-old has now been speaking about the Barcelona captain and what it’s like to work with him at the Camp Nou.
“Messi can’t be compared with anyone,” said Valverde, via Goal.
“It’s very difficult to tell him if you’ve seen this or another player when he does things in training that you haven’t seen yourself.
“Many times, from the touchline, you’re always thinking what can be the best option and, ultimately, he sees it much better than you from on the pitch.
“Messi is a very easy player to coach because he also has a great impulse with respect to the team. He has a great ambition to win, he always feels such an obligation to the game as for the club. He transmits that to the group and it forces everyone to be at a higher level.
“Seeing him play is impressive from afar... but even more so from up close.”
Valverde was replaced by Quique Setien in January, and the new boss seems to have a similar view about coaching Messi. He said about his new captain: “to be honest, he’s a player you don’t need to say much to.”
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