Setien says he was ‘close’ to working in Egypt before Barcelona call

Barcelona’s head coach Quique Setien has revealed that he was close to joining an Egyptian team before he received the offer to work at Camp Nou.

"A few days before receiving the offer to coach Barcelona I was close to working in Egypt," Setien was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca.

"A call from Barcelona management sure changed my mind."

"I was ready to lead the Barcelona team for free," the Spanish manager added.

The 61-year-old tactician was signed as head coach of Barcelona on 13 January, replacing the dismissed Ernesto Valverde on a contract that runs to June 2022.

Reports in the Egyptian media claimed that Egyptian Premier League black horse Pyramids FC was searching for a big-name coach at the time to replace French coach Sebastien Desabre, who left the team last winter.

Moreover, Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and former Pyramids FC owner, republished Setien's statements on his Facebook page, commenting to the effect that he was indeed in talks with the manager to join the team.

Pyramids are currently third in the Egyptian Premier League table on 32 points, one point behind Zamalek and 17 points behind leaders and title-holders Ahly.

Pyramids have also booked a place in the African Confederation Cup semifinals where they hope to secure their first continental title.