Real Betis Coach Quique Setien has explained how his possession-based style of coaching is directly linked to his love of chess.
Setien is a keen player of the strategical board game and has spoken how territorial dominance is similar across both games and how many of the skills are crossed over.
“There are many aspects in which chess has helped me a lot to coach,” Setien told Andalucia Television, as cited by El Mundo Deportivo.
“Above all, to curb my impulses. Chess taught me to put my arms under the table before making a decision that would later seem to be correct. It is convenient to take a second more to see if it really is the most opportune decision at that moment.
“There are more similarities: if you take control of the centre of the board or the middle of the field, you have a higher chance of winning.
“If you coordinate the pieces well, you achieve a connection between them (everyone has to defend and be ready to attack). You have to do analysis with perspective, not see how the pieces are right now.”
Setien also spoke about links to the Barcelona managerial job: “It is the same when I was linked to the Spanish national team, I must speak out about this.
“I think Barcelona has a great Coach, and that is Ernesto Valverde, you have to respect him and the job he is doing.
“My only thought now is about beating Valladolid.”
