Many candidates were considered for the job, but vital things stood out to the club when considering Quique Setién, ultimately becoming part of the reason for his appointment. The 61-year-old manager will be unveiled on Tuesday.
Barcelona’s search for a managerial change has ended, as the club announced the dismissal of Ernesto Valverde on Monday night, thanking the Txingurri for his efforts during his tenure at the club. Shortly after, the club announced his successor: the former Real Betis-manager, Quique Setién.
In the heart of Barcelona fans, Setién is perhaps most remembered for his team’s heroic display against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, when the Andalusian club won 4-3, with the now former Betis man, Junior Firpo, scoring against the Catalan side. Setién’s Betis completely outplayed Barça with what, on paper, seemed like an inferior squad. The team showed shades of the ‘real’ Barcelona, whereas the Barcelona on the pitch simply were did not seem on the same level as their counterparts.
And with this appointment, the common consensus within the fanbase is that Barcelona will be back to playing the beautiful style of football that it was known for in its absolute glory days. That same philosophy and style is one Setién showed shades of with Betis, and his knowledge and passion for it is one of the reasons why he was deemed a right candidate by the Barça board.
According to Cadena SER’s journalist, Sique Rodriguez, there were four key points that ended up playing a big part in him ultimately being appointed, after Xavi Hernández had rejected the offer to join the club immediately
The first key point was how fond his former players are of him. Barcelona had, according to SER, contacted several of the players who had played under his tenure, and they all miss the manager’s presence. Namely, the opinion and fondness of the current 38-year-old captain of Real Betis, Joaquín, was one mentioned when the club were discussing who to appoint.
Moreover, the club believes that Setién has the Barça DNA in terms of the philosophy and style of play he applies on the teams he managed, most recently seen with Real Betis.
A thing that stood out to the Barcelona board regarding Setién was how communicative he was with his players, Sique Rodriguez reports. Additionally, the manager’s training sessions were also studied and impressed the club’s board.
The ‘Setién method’ of training and the hard work and intensity involved in the sessions led by him was something the club deemed necessary to involve.
A lengthy contract
When the club announced the deal for Quiqué Setien, the statement read that a deal keeping him with the club until June 30, 2022, was agreed upon by all parties.
Afterwards, Cadena SER, reported that the contract would not be a regular contract of two-and-a-half years in length. Instead, it would be a normal contract until 2021, with the final year of the deal – that of the 2021/22 season – being optional.
This means that Setién staying for the final year of the deal is an option that can be triggered by both parties in the deal: the club, and the manager. It is similar to the final year of now former manager Ernesto Valverde’s deal, where the 2020/21 season was optional with the same right to decide.
This could be due to the presidential elections that take place towards the end of next season, and presidential candidate Víctor Font’s idea of bringing Xavi in as head coach potentially meaning a resignation or dismissal of Quique Setién, should the new president prefer a different manager.
Unveiling planned for Tuesday
The manager is sleeping at the Hotel Sofía in Barcelona the night prior to his unveiling, which is planned for Tuesday at 2:00 PM local time. On 1:30 PM, the contract will be signed behind closed doors in the President Suñol box.
Then, on 2:00 PM, the newly appointed manager will undergo a photo session on the Camp Nou pitch, before attending the press conference in the famous Auditori 1899. The press conference is planned to begin at 2:30 PM, the club has announced in its official statement.
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