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