Sampaoli says coaching Messi at Barca would be a ‘dream’

Despite earlier assurances that he will not be the next Barcelona manager, Jorge Sampaoli has hinted that the job would be a very attractive proposition.

Sampaoli, currently in his first season at third-placed Sevilla, has been touted as the obvious replacement for outgoing Barcelona manager Luis Enrique.

The Chilean has on several occasions denied such speculation, but has yet to accept the club`s offer for a contract extension.

To add further fuel to the fire, in a recent interview with Diario Ole, Sampaoli indicated that managing the likes of Lionel Messi would be a very happy prospect.

"My dream is to be in charge of Messi to see him every day from the touchline," Sampaoli said.

"It`s a unique dream to see Messi so close up, always," the former Chile national team manager continued.

"The form Messi is in is incredible. Who wouldn`t like to be in charge of him? If you help a determining player be happy, you have 95 percent of the game sorted.

"These are like the days in which Maradona was good. It`s very difficult for a team, when Leo is good, to lose," he added.

Los Blanquirrojos face an uphill battle if they are to improve on their current league position, with second placed Barcelona a full six points ahead of them, and league leaders, Real Madrid, a further two.

Source: Kickoff.com