Gerardo Martino recieves a joining letter from barcelona as a coach. He believes a recommendation from fellow Argentine Lionel Messi was behind his surprise appointment as Barcelona coach on Monday.
"The details of how the situation developed I don't know (but) I have no doubt Jorge (Messi's father) and Lionel had some influence," Martino, the former Paraguay coach, told in a conference in Rosario.
"I'm sure they were asked their opinion and we've come to this outcome," added Martino, who comes from Rosario.
Martino, who led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentine "Final" championship last month, added: "I was expecting some job proposals and I can't say I was expecting this one." He is surprised by the barca move but he is ready and accept this one.
"The situation was unexpected and of course it took me by surprise," added Martino, who quit Newell's after they lost their Libertadores Cup semi-final two weeks ago by Atletico Mineiro.
Barcelona went in search of a new coach after Tito Vilanova had to step aside to undergo more treatment for throat cancer.
"This is a very important job opportunity which came about due to a very unfortunate occurrence (Vilanova's illness)," Martino said.
"I'm very grateful they considered me, my staff and my work. The quality of the Barcelona squad, with Messi, is something any coach desires.
"I'm sure in our day-to-day work we'll find ways to support Messi so he continues to be the extraordinary player he is."
Martino, who will travel to Barcelona on Thursday, said he hoped to be up to the high demands
of coaching one of the world's best club sides.
"We'll try to fit in quickly... Barcelona is an institution that has a way of life, a footballing development. We are the ones who are going to step into that world."
One of Martino's staff is Adrian Coria, the man credited with discovering and coaching Messi from the age of 11 to 13 at Newell's.
Martino misses Barcelona's friendly on Wednesday against European champions Bayern Munich, now under the Spanish giants' former coach Pep Guardiola.
Saturday's friendly with Norway's Valerenga in Oslo could be his debut on the bench.
"The details of how the situation developed I don't know (but) I have no doubt Jorge (Messi's father) and Lionel had some influence," Martino, the former Paraguay coach, told in a conference in Rosario.
"I'm sure they were asked their opinion and we've come to this outcome," added Martino, who comes from Rosario.
Martino, who led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentine "Final" championship last month, added: "I was expecting some job proposals and I can't say I was expecting this one." He is surprised by the barca move but he is ready and accept this one.
"The situation was unexpected and of course it took me by surprise," added Martino, who quit Newell's after they lost their Libertadores Cup semi-final two weeks ago by Atletico Mineiro.
Barcelona went in search of a new coach after Tito Vilanova had to step aside to undergo more treatment for throat cancer.
"This is a very important job opportunity which came about due to a very unfortunate occurrence (Vilanova's illness)," Martino said.
"I'm very grateful they considered me, my staff and my work. The quality of the Barcelona squad, with Messi, is something any coach desires.
"I'm sure in our day-to-day work we'll find ways to support Messi so he continues to be the extraordinary player he is."
Martino, who will travel to Barcelona on Thursday, said he hoped to be up to the high demands
of coaching one of the world's best club sides.
"We'll try to fit in quickly... Barcelona is an institution that has a way of life, a footballing development. We are the ones who are going to step into that world."
One of Martino's staff is Adrian Coria, the man credited with discovering and coaching Messi from the age of 11 to 13 at Newell's.
Martino misses Barcelona's friendly on Wednesday against European champions Bayern Munich, now under the Spanish giants' former coach Pep Guardiola.
Saturday's friendly with Norway's Valerenga in Oslo could be his debut on the bench.
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