WHAT HAPPENED? Pique, who played alongside the Mexican defender for two seasons (2008 to 2010) at the Catalan club, believes that Marquez possesses the ability to manage a top club like Barcelona someday and hailed his progress as a head coach.
WHAT THEY SAID: Speaking to ESPN, Pique said, “Yes, for sure. Rafa is more than ready for a range of things [such as coaching Barcelona] because of the attitude he has, his knowledge of the game and his experience. He’s in a learning process as a coach right now and I am sure that in the future we will see him on a bench in La Liga. We will see if that is with Barca or another team, but he’s preparing excellently.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The 44-year-old joined Barcelona B side as their manager last year and guided the team to the Segunda Division play-offs by finishing fourth in Group 2 in his maiden season in charge.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT? The Catalan giants will next face arch-rivals Real Madrid in the season’s first Clasico on Saturday.