Replacing Ernesto Valverde At Barcelona, Who Is Quique Setien?

Quique Setien (Twitter @FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona officially announced its separation from coach Ernesto Valverde, Monday, January 13 evening local time. Los Blaugrana appointed Quique Setien as his replacement.

Launching Marca on Tuesday, the 55-year-old tactician met with club president Josep Bartomeu on Monday morning. At that time he was informed of the club board's decision, which was taken on Sunday. He will be at the Camp Nou until June 2022.

Barcelona have been looking for a new coach since they lost to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Supercopa de Espana on Thursday. Barca beat 2-3 after leading 2-1.

Barca CEO Oscar Grau and technical director Eric Abidal asked Xavi Hernandez to replace Valverde during their meeting in Qatar on Friday. But Al-Sadd's coach rejected the offer.

Barcelona also failed to approach Ronald Koeman, Thierry Henry and Roberto Martinez.

Agreement between FC Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde to end his contract as manager of the first team. Thank you for everything, Ernesto. Best of luck in the future. pic.twitter.com/zrIgB1sW2e

- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 13, 2020

Quique with Gabriel Milito and Mauricio Pochettino at that time were still the top candidates for this position, although Barca also did not rule out the appointment of Barcelona B coach, Pimienta.

Bartomeu has lost patience with Valverde since Los Blaugarana lost to Roma and Liverpool in the Champions League.

Ernesto Valverde and Quique Setien (Marca)

Who is Quique Setien?

Quique Setien's coaching career began in 2001 at Racing Santander. He successfully brought his team promotion to the top Spanish league level.

From there, he moved to Poli Ejido and then to Equatorial Guinea before taking charge at Logrones in 2007. He stayed for one year before joining Lugo for six seasons and helping the team stay in Spain's second division.

Quique Setién will be the new manager of FC Barcelona. Welcome! ➕ INFO https://t.co/EOP9MSFFJ1 pic.twitter.com/IkhzFGyxHf

- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 13, 2020

In 2015, Setien coached Las Palmas as well as a career in La Liga Santander for the first time. Two years later he was appointed to lead Real Betis.

In his first season at the Andalusian club, he successfully qualified for the Europa League and reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. In the second season, his relationship with club officials deteriorated where his contract was terminated even though he had only signed a three-year extension.

The first time Setien met Messi

Quique Setien and Lionel Messi (Marca)

Quique Setien's meeting with Lionel Messi in Barcelona was destiny.

The first time Setien met Messi occurred during a Barcelona training session when Pep Guardiola was coach.

"One day, I was invited by Guardiola, I had the opportunity to see Messi train from the sidelines," Setien told El Pais.

"I went over to him and asked him to keep playing until I was 60 years old, at least until I died."

Another moment that brought Setien and Messi together occurred when Barcelona visited Las Palmas, the team that Setien coached, in 2016.

In the match at the Estadio de Gran Canaria, Neymar was the star in Barca's 4-1 win. However, Setien knows exactly who stole the show the most.

He and Messi embraced and chatted on the pitch before walking together down the tunnel to the dressing room.

Now, the two of them will work together at the Camp Nou after Setien was appointed as Valverde's replacement.