Rivaldo criticises Setien for his comments on Messi: He should have resigned - 7M sport

Rivaldo criticises Setien for his comments on Messi: He should have resigned



Posted Saturday, November 07, 2020 by Marca.com

Rivaldo criticises Setien for his comments on Messi: He should have resigned

Rivaldo has hit back at Quique Setien for his recent remarks about how tough it was for him as a coach to manage Lionel Messi during his spell at Barcelona and has stressed that the former Real Betis boss should have resigned if that was the case.

The Brazilian believes that Setien is looking for excuses to justify his poor results with the club following his appointment back in January until his dismissal after the humiliating 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

"Considering his stature and position at the club," Rivaldo said. "Messi should allow himself to have certain kinds of conversations with the coaches or with the board, but I don't think he did anything with the purpose of harming his coach or Barcelona.

"Even if we imagine that what Setien says is true, which I doubt, he should have taken action earlier, communicating to the board that he was not happy with the situation.

"And if it had been necessary, if they had not listened to him, he should have resigned. I honestly believe that Setien is wrong in voicing this type of issue and more so in a moment as delicate as the one the club is going through."

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has fully recovered from his injury and returned to action with an impressive performance against Dynamo Kiev last Wednesday. Rivaldo believes that the German goalkeeper should be the next Barcelona captain after all players from Messi's generation retire.

"If it hadn't been for Ter Stegen, perhaps Barcelona would not have beaten Dynamo Kiwv," Rivaldo declared. "I am totally convinced that he would be an excellent captain. When Messi, [Gerard] Pique or [Sergio] Busquets leave, he could have that role without any problems.

"First, because of his experience, but it is also that he plays in a position where he observes the entire field and can be a pillar for his teammates."

Antoine Griezmann has been criticised for his below-par performances since his arrival from Atletico Madrid, yet Rivaldo believes that confidence is the only thing the Frenchman currently lacks.

"I have read an opinion stating that perhaps [Griezmann] should look for a [Philippe] Coutinho type of solution: leave on loan to a big club, improve and come back," Rivaldo noted. "I don't agree.

"Just with his presence on the pitch, Griezmann commands respect because he is a world champion since he was at Atletico Madrid. Barcelona need the best and Griezmann is one of them. He just has to gain confidence."



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