adminLONDON. — New Barcelona boss Tata Martino has told Manchester United: We will not sell you Cesc Fabregas.
Martino has immediately told David Moyes that Fabregas is not for sale after being officially unveiled as the new manager of Barcelona on a two-year contract yesterday.
The 50-year-old, who led Newell’s Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season but recently severed ties with the club, replaces Tito Vilanova, who was forced to step-down due to his battle with cancer.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Martino said: “Man United want Cesc? If the club rejected two offers, I will reject it a third time. Cesc will be here.”
Moyes was desperately hoping to make Fabregas his first major signing since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.
But after turning down two bids for him in the last fortnight the Catalan giants effectively told United yesterday they are wasting their time.
Martino said: “Evidently I’m not going to talk about the financial interests of the club but if the club have turned down United’s offers two times in this case I add a third rejection.
“So we are going to keep him here.”
Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu then echoed the sentiments of Martino.
And he added that technical director Andoni Zubizaretta had made it clear from the moment United’s interest surfaced that Fabregas would stay.
Bartomeu said: “Whatever offer United make, however big, we will say no. Cesc Fabregas will stay a Barcelona player.
“That United shows interest in Cesc Fabregas is normal. He is a truly great player. It doesn’t annoy us.
“It gives us pride to have such a good player in our team that United want him because they are a great club.
“But whatever offer arrives from them we are not going to sell Cesc Fabregas. We are counting on him.
“I think Tata Martino was clear that he is counting on him as a player and Andoni Zubizaretta from the first day when we asked him about it saying there was an offer he replied Cesc is not for sale.
“We are very happy with him.”
A host of coaches were, meanwhile, linked to the vacant position with the Spanish champions, including Luis Enrique, Andre Villas-Boas, Marcelo Bielsa, Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink, who recently resigned as coach of Anzhi Makhachkala.
Martino was a surprise choice but is determined to succeed in what is his first job in Europe. He said: “I’m very happy and grateful. It’s an honour to enter a club with such a history and such prestige.
“I’m eager to meet the players and to continue with the football idea of this club, that’s why I was signed.
“Sadly, we all know the circumstances why I’m here now. I send my best wishes to Tito.
“I will continue with the idea of Barça and will try to add some new things to make this a more complete team.
“You can be ambitious in life, set goals, but I couldn’t have imagined one year ago I would be here.
“The main thing is to make sure that the players are still hungry to keep on winning.
“I can’t imagine that Messi and Neymar couldn’t play well together. If they don’t, the coach is to blame.’
Argentine Martino is excited to work with his countryman Lionel Messi but insists Barcelona’s star man had nothing to do with the decision to appoint him.
He said: “Messi and I are both from Rosario, Newell’s is our club, but I don’t know him personally.
“Messi has played in different positions, but he’s scoring more than ever now, I won’t change his position.
“As a coach, I’ve learned to adapt to the squad and to the players I have at my disposal. Coaching in Argentina is not easy and that helps us when we leave the country to work elsewhere.
“I think it’s normal that people here don’t know, since I’ve been working in South America. I’m not offended by that.”
Messi has backed Martino to bring success to the Camp Nou after a disappointing Champions League exit to eventual winners Bayern Munich last season.
‘‘He (is) a great coach and his record speaks for itself. He showed he could do things well both at Newell’s and with Paraguay,’’ Messi said.
“I am convinced he will do well at Barca.”
Martino must quickly take charge of his new team with the Spanish league set to begin on August 17-18. — The Sun- Mailonline.
Online Reporter