Getafe president Angel Torres has revealed how close they came from appointing Pep Guardiola as coach and signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
Torres says a deal for the Manchester City manager was agreed before he was promoted from Barca B to the senior Barcelona post.
He told Radio Cope: “We were in Europe, they talked to me about (Michael) Laudrup to coach Barcelona and I was going to take Guardiola. We met one morning and the topic was discussed. Everything was rushed because they had problems, they fired (Frank) Rijkaard and instead of Laudrup they decided on Guardiola. He was willing to come.
Then on Messi, he said: “I met with (Joan) Laporta to ask for Messi. I was with Laporta and (Andoni) Zubizarreta. They told me that Rijkaard wanted him, we were close. He lacked nothing. Then Alfredo Duro was with me as sports director. Messi sent me about ten shirts, he’s my idol.
“When I went to the Camp Nou he gave it to me in my hand.”
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