Quique Setién points out Barcelona’s sad truth that UEFA is doing nothing about

Quique Setién has returned to his craft after an unsuccessful stint at Barcelona, taking over at Villarreal. He also commented on the financial situation of the Catalan side, who still owe him money. But how is this possible when the club brought in hundreds of millions of reinforcements in the summer?

Barcelona spent 153 million euros on transfers this summer, bringing in players like Raphinha (58 million euros), Jules Koundé (50 million euros) and Robert Lewandowski (45 million euros).

The year before, it spent €70 million and even €112,000 million by the time the 64-year-old Spanish coach leaves the Camp Nou, in the summer of 2020.

Even so, Setién claims that the Catalan club owes him money. The daily Marca then recently published what exactly he actually said on Spanish radio programme El Larguero after the opening game against Hapoel Beer Sheva.

“Barcelona still owe me money. I didn’t hope they would give it to me. Barcelona was my dream team that I wanted to coach, but when I was there I thought, ‘I should do what Camacho did at Real Madrid and leave!'”

The example of Barcelona shows how the financial rules issued by UEFA can be bent beautifully. Their financial fair play is somewhat laughable when other coaches shake their heads at it. And that includes Jürgen Klopp, who just smiles broadly when asked about Barcelona anymore.

We’ll trust that Setién will get his money from the over-indebted Spanish club that gave up its future for a quick success, which didn’t come anyway.

He has other things to worry about now, however, having already coached his first game on the Villarreal bench in more than two years. However, his charges lost the lead 2-1 in the 79th minute and left the field with a point.

Nevertheless, they dominated their group C with 13 points and can look forward to the spring play-offs, where Slavia Prague will hopefully qualify.

Sources: Marca, Transfermarkt