Criticism of Joan Laporta’s second Barcelona tenure is only increasing with the renewal of Xavi.
The club president enjoyed a hugely successful first stint with the Catalan giants between 2003 and 2010, but his era since returning in 2021 isn’t quite going to plan.
Barca have avoided financial oblivion but are massively restricted in the transfer market, while Laporta’s negative publicity began and continued with the failed European Super League.
This season with the club failing to pick up a trophy the 60-year-old has delved into unsubstantiated conspiracy theories over rivals Real Madrid, culminating with his bizarre reaction to a controversial goal in the most recent Clasico.
Earlier in the 2023/24 campaign with Barcelona struggling, Laporta told the media he would have already sacked the head coach if it wasn’t club legend Xavi. Now he’s had a complete U-turn, getting his wish of Xavi re-signing despite previously announcing he’d leave in the summer.
Reacting to a strange series of events one of Spain’s most respected pundits and the director of the Cadena SER radio network, Manu Carreño, has savaged Laporta.
“Everything that is coming out of Barça is so embarrassing,” he said. “For me there is a main person responsible. I think that Laporta is dragging FC Barcelona to the precipice economically, in sports and in the social sphere.
“Xavi was kept because it is the least bad option. Nobody believes in him. Everything is televised, without any discretion.
“Honestly, I don’t remember such a delicate moment in the history of Barça.”
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