Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed Tata Martino has told him he wants to stay as Barcelona Coach for the duration of his contract.
Speculation has been rife that Martino would quit at the end of the season after only a year at Camp Nou, with his contract running until 2015.
But the Barca President revealed that Martino has shown no sign of wanting to break his deal – to the contrary, according to Bartomeu.
“We have a Coach until 2015 and we’ve said we want him to fulfil his contract,” AFP reports Bartomeu as adding.
“Martino has denied that he wants to leave and has said he will fulfil his contract.”
Bartomeu also spoke on the subject of Lionel Messi’s contract, which has been negotiated for renewal in recent weeks.
“Messi’s renewal will happen soon. I don’t know when because we are focused on competitions,” Bartomeu said.
“When all our competitions come to an end we will make him the highest-paid player in the world.
“He’s not for sale. No one wants to sell him. He’ll leave Barca when he wants to.
“It could be that Messi is still playing in 2021. I don’t know what the team or the board will look like then but I’m sure the players we’ve got at Joan Gamper will be involved.”
Bartomeu also backed Neymar, insisting that he and the rest of the Barca hierarchy have little doubt the Brazil international will reach his potential.
“Neymar is a special player with amazing qualities. He’s young and he’ll grow,” Bartomeu said.
“He gives the board members confidence because soon he’ll be the best in the world.”
