Scrubs AC interview questions

I initially applied through an employee referral. I had already done work for said company previously on a freelance basis and figure I would try for a full-time role as a position opened up that I was interested in. It started out with a phone screen with the hiring manager who described the position as well as discussing my background. I don't think this person seemed to care I had experience working for them in the past and was more concerned whether this person could do project management. I was brought in two days later to meet with the hiring manager as well as others in the team (who some I already knew). Again, the hiring manager seemed less concerned about my design ability and more concerned about leading a team. While my experience was limited in that field, I did not see it as a major issue but he kept insisting and talking about how important it was or, "...else this person would get fired 3 to 6 months from now if results aren't being delivered." A bit off putting and seemed to assume I was not fit for the role. I thought this was a design position I was interviewing for? He also mentioned the other candidate stating that they weren't a great designer but can definitely lead a team. I didn't see how this was relative to MY interview process. Maybe it was a tactic to throw me off but I did not seemed phased by it. On top of that the company is not willing to pay market rate. I explained my previous salary requirements and what I'm willing to go down to but it seemed still too much. And this is a SENIOR position. Other than that, everyone else I met with was very welcoming and nice; it was just the hiring manager of the group who was off-putting. It felt like a waste of time for him and for me; maybe more so for him because he had to see me because I knew someone there but he had already chosen his candidate. So, overall while it was unfortunate it ended up this way at least I got a good sense of how this person's attitude is and possible work ethic so I could avoid it.