Former Barcelona coach Quique Setien said he found Lionel Messi a difficult player to manage but his successor Ronald Koeman enjoys a different relationship with the Argentinian forward.

Messi, 33, handed Barcelona an official notice in August of his desire to terminate his contract before eventually deciding to stay in Spain for this season.

Setien was sacked after Barcelona ended the 2019-20 season empty-handed.

“I don’t agree with Setien but I respect his opinion and what he has experienced,” Koeman said. “Messi is a very good player, the best in the world. I see his ambition but he is not a player I have difficulty managing.”

Setien had said that it was “difficult to manage” Messi during his unsuccessful spell at the club.

“It’s true that there are players who are not easy to manage, among them, Leo (Messi),” Setien had told El Pais newspaper.

“We also have to take into account that he is the best footballer of all time...He is very reserved and only shows you the things that he wants you to see.”