Setien happy with first week in charge at Barca

MADRID -- New Barcelona coach Quique Setien gave his first pre-game press conference on Saturday ahead of his first game in change at the Camp Nou when Barca entertain Granada on Sunday night.

Setien was named as the replacement for Ernesto Valverde on Monday and has spent the week getting to know his new players.

"The week has gone well, it has gone much better than I hoped because when you join a new team, you always have doubts about how they will respond," he said, adding he was "very happy with everything."

"With the work, with the capacity the players have to understand anything you want to tell them. It has been marvelous."

Setien said he had spoken with Messi, "as with all of the players...We can't deny he's special, but I have spoken to all of them at one time or another and that we will normal. I like to swap impressions with the players and know what they think," explained the coach.

The new coach wasn't certain if the club would bring in any new faces in January. "It is still early to take decisions and I like to consider things and not act on impulse. It could depend on the luck we have with injuries, but we have given ourselves space to talk about signings," commented Setien.

The new coach also expressed his surprise that he was now at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I had never been in charge of a big club before, but I think everything in this life has a process and I think in a humble manner. I know how hard it is to achieve things and it is an unexpected surprise for me and I will try and enjoy it until I have to go."

"At times I wake up and think 'wow' I am going to coach these players and the fact is that I couldn't be anywhere better," he concluded.