Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien has said that the Blaugrana still owe him unpaid payments and even though it’s been three years since he last managed the team from Catalonia, they will indeed end up paying the 65-year-old.
Yesterday morning, a trilateral meeting took place involving coaches, the Federation, and referees to assess the current state of affairs in Spanish football.
The focus of the meeting was to discuss coach settlements and the individuals responsible for signing them, although no concrete resolutions were reached.
While the majority of La Liga coaches participated, notable absences included Manuel Pellegrini, Imanol Alguacil, and Rafa Benitez, who opted not to attend.
Among the attendees, including Setien, the meeting was chaired by either Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti or Xavi, both of whom expressed unity with dismissed coaches who have yet to receive their severance pay.
Setien is still owed money from Barcelona
Speaking in an interview with El Larguero with Manu Carreno (h/t SER), Setien addressed his feud with Barcelona where he explained why he was forced to take the Blaugrana to the court.
“In principle, I was not going to go to this meeting. In the end, you have no choice but to go to court. Five days before the trial I was able to arrange an agreement for Barcelona,” he said.
“16 months later we reached an agreement, but they told me to forgive them money and I was not willing. They are strictly complying with the payments, but they will finish paying me three years after having coached Barça,” he added.
His thoughts on the current Barcelona squad
Setien was dismissed by Villarreal in early September this year, but he did square off against Barcelona in August; a game which ended 4-3 in favour of the team from Catalonia.
When asked about his take on Xavi’s current Barça squad, he said, “I always like Barça’s approach. It’s true that they’re not in a good moment right now and they’re not in a very inspiring moment.”
At the same time, Setien also praised the work being done by Girona and their manager Michel, as they sit atop the La Liga table.
“I have congratulated Míchel because he is playing extraordinary football and doing an extraordinary job. I have told him that I would love him to win La Liga, I would be very happy for him and for football,” he mentioned.