Gerardo Martino may have appointed Barcelona's new coach mainly due to his close links with Lionel Messi, according to new reports.
According to The Sun, the family of the world's greatest player comes from the same Argentinian city Rosario as Martino and has ties with the new Nou Camp chief.
The report said that Martino, who has signed a two-year deal with Barca, revealed that he had no doubts that Messi spoke with the club directors and he was also sure Messi's father Jorge must also have had some weight in the decision.
Last year, Messi had said that Tata was a great manager and the Argentinian side he coached had won the respect of everyone for the way it played the game.
