Barcelona star Lionel Messi has backed Gerardo 'Tata' Martino to be new coach.

Martino is the apparent frontrunner for the Nou Camp job following Tito Vilanova's resignation.

Messi told Diario Ole: "I like Tata Martino. He is a great coach and he showed that in the Clausura with what he did for the team, the way it ended and how he did it. He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him."