Eric Avidel, The legendary former Barcelona defender was much less admired in his second career, in which he served as the Catalans’ professional manager from 2018 to 2020, until he resigned following the 8: 2 defeat against Bayern Munich. The former player, who was part of Pep Gordiola’s big team, opened it all up in an interview with the British Telegraph and took out the “dirty laundry”.
Possible return of Neymar in 2019: “I met Leonardo, the professional manager of Paris Saint-Germain, towards the end of the transfer window. We talked about Neymar. The Barcelona general manager was present at the meeting because we could have signed him. I believe 100% that we could have re-signed Neymar because we needed a winger and he was excellent and in the position we needed. “The president (Bartomeu) has decided to sign Antoine Griezmann.”
The relationship with Leo Messi: Messi spoke to me in person after I said the staff needed to train more. We had a good conversation, but I can understand it. No problems arise as a result of transparency. I felt comfortable, because he is the only player who spoke to me freely and I respect that. I understand he was the captain and wanted to defend the squad, but he never asked me to fire the coach (Ernesto Valverda). Never. ”
“I do not think I need to fix my relationship with Messi that has not changed, at least from my point of view. We’ve talked quite a bit since then and he knows what I think. I did not want to turn a small problem into a global crisis and complicate the whole club, “Avidel concluded.
On the possible signing of Mauricio Potcino, PSG coach: “After the dismissal of Ernesto Valverda he was my first option, the best coach in the market. I’m not here for politics, even though he coached Espanyol in the past, I wanted the best and he was one of the best, best for a team in our situation. I knew there was a problem when most of the management’s questions were about Espanyol’s past and not about the professional situation. “He said something about training in Argentina before Barcelona and it hurt some members of the management, who said he was not suitable because he does not respect the club.”
Avidel spoke at length about the economic situation of Barcelona: I introduced a large company, which I will not reveal by name, to the general manager and manager of the club in March 2019. Until November 2020, they conducted negotiations that ultimately did not bear fruit. I think the economic situation could have been resolved then. Not an easy solution because we are talking about huge financial information and Barcelona has hidden its accounts. When there is someone who wants to invest he wants all the information possible. It took time for Barça who wanted to keep everything a secret. Exposing the information to important people can be embarrassing if you do not manage the group well, but these people want to help you, so the information should be given. “In Barcelona, everyone wants to defend themselves, in the belief that they will be fired if they are seen doing a bad job.” Avidel gave up a year’s salary after resigning last summer.
Barça’s future with Joan Laporta, club president: “I think Aforta has a good choice because he knows the way the club works. I am not worried. It’s all open when we can and when people come back. If there are new ideas in Barça, she will come back to herself. “
Messi’s future in Barcelona: “I think it’s important for Messi to remain the greatest player in history and the key player on the team. It depends on the situation of the rest of the staff and the new ideas of the management and the coach that will affect how he feels. Messi’s marketing value is huge, but it’s his decision and it’s not easy when you’re been in the same club for so many years. Sometimes you want to see something different. Will there be anything better than Barcelona for him? I do not know”.