In addition, Abidal points out that he would have chosen Mauricio Pochettino to replace Ernesto Valverde
This Monday, Eric Abidal gave his first interview since leaving the board of Barcelona. Former French player said Antoine Griezmann’s signing was decided by the club’s president, Josep María Bartomeu, a decision that prevented Neymar from returning in the middle of 2019.
“Ten days before the market closed, I was in Paris talking to Leonardo (PSG sporting director). I needed a striker and when Neymar was in Barcelona, his level was incredible. It’s not about saying which player is better, but about the position we had to strengthen. However, the president has decided to hire Griezmann, “Abidal told the English newspaper. telegraph.
The former player also confessed that, after the resignation of Ernesto Valverde, he would have hired Mauricio Pochettino.
“I talked to Pochettino, but he was not the only one in the club. We thought we should bring in the best coach available on the market. I had to do my job and not think about the rivalry of his time at Espanyol. I wanted the best and he is one of the best, “he said.
The one chosen by Barça’s management was Quique Setién, who was a failure at the Camp Nou.