Barca star Leo Messi has stated that he had nothing to do with Tata Martino becoming the new coach at the Catalan giants.
Gerardo Martino is virtually unknown to a lot of fans and has never coached in Europe fuelling speculation that it was Messi and his father Jorge who wanted him at FC Barcelona.
To add fuel to the fire, Martino said at a press conference on Tuesday that he was sure fellow compatriot Lionel Messi and his father Jorge had put in a good word for him with the Barca top brass.
However, the Barcelona superstar is adamant that he didn’t use his influence to sway the decision to appoint Gerardo Martino over ex Barca player and Celta Vigo coach, Luis Enrique.
The 26 year-old Argentine superstar said in his defense: “I have nothing to do with Martino’s signing, nor do I have to give any explanations.
“It was down to president Sandro Rosell and the club.
“I said before that he seemed a good coach, but I don’t have to explain anything.”
Leo Messi later added: “I don’t know him personally, I’ve never met him.
“But I think he’s a good signing. He showed at Newell’s Old Boys and with Paraguay what he’s capable of and hopefully he’ll be good for us.”
The 50 year-old Argentine led Newell’s Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season and led Paraguay to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
Garardo ‘Tata’ Martino has agreed a two-year contract with the Catalan giants and will be officially unveiled by the club on Friday.
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Valora en Bitacoras.com: Barcelona’s star player Leo Messi has said that he had nothing to do with Gerardo Martino becoming the new coach at the Catalan giants. The appointment of Martino has caused lots of speculation among fans as to whether Messi ….