Lionel Messi: Marcotti discusses player’s future at Barcelona
Lionel Messi was unhappy with Barcelona’s decision to sack Ernesto Valverde for Quique Setien, reports say. The Argentina international has played under both managers at the Nou Camp this season, pushing the club towards the La Liga title in the process.
Back in December, Barcelona sacked Valverde and chose to name Setien as his replacement.
The decision came days after the Catalan giants had lost 3-2 to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona have done solidly under Setien so far, winning the majority of their matches with defeats to Athletic Bilbao and Valencia the only big setbacks.
Yet Marca say Messi was unhappy with Barcelona’s decision to part ways with Valverde.
The duo established a close relationship during their time at the Nou Camp together, with that same relationship leading to the club winning silverware.
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Messi then furiously hit back on Instagram, saying: "Sincerely, I don't like to do these things but I think that people have to be responsible for their jobs and own their decisions.
"The players [are responsible] for what happens on the pitch and we are the first to admit when we haven't been good.
“The heads of the sports department have to take their responsibilities too and above all own the decisions they make."
Meanwhile, Valverde was recently asked about the prospect of managing in the Premier League.
Chelsea could find themselves looking for a new manager if Frank Lampard fails to guide them to a place in the top four.
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And so could Manchester United, with the Red Devils enduring a difficult campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Yet Valverde doesn’t seem sold on the idea.
Instead, a shock move to Australia’s A-League could be on the cards.
The 56-year-old said: ”People ask me sometimes 'How about the Premier League?' and I say 'Well actually I'd like to go to Australia’.
"A career in football does not last forever and sometimes you think you have to take the opportunity to live in strange places."