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Former FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed he will run in next montha s presidential election, when he will be one of favourites to take the top job at the Spanish and European champions alongside Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Laporta, who famously appointed Pep Guardiola as his manager in 2008, joins Josep Maria Bartomeu, Toni Freixa, Agust Benedito, Jordi MajA? and Jordi Farr as candidates for the election.
Bartomeu resigned as president recently to declare his candidacy in the election which was called a year earlier with fans voicing their concerns on the way the club was being run following the departure of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. The former FC Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper paid the price for a FIFA ban on signings for two windows over a breach of rules on the transfer of foreign Under-18 players.
Bartomeu stepped up from vice-presidency to take over from Sandro Rosell who had stepped down following accusation of tax frauds over the Neymar deal.
Laporta had won 4 league titles and two Champion’s League crown in his previous reign and is credited with kicking of the golden period in FC Barcelona history by bringing in Ronaldinho in 2004, first, and then appointing Pep Guardiola as the manager in 2008.
Announcing his candidature, Laporta said: a As you all know, I am standing in the 18 July Bar a election,a Laporta, speaking in Catalan, said in a video published on Tuesday.
a I am doing it so I can achieve the aim of making Bar a a club for everyone again. I have the experience.”
Laporta is a lawyer and pro-Catalan independence politician. He is thought to be close to legendary former FC Barcelona player and manager Johan Cruyff and a firm supporter of the cluba s policy of bringing players through from the academy into the first team.
Some reports also suggest that Laporta might install former captain Carles Puyol as his sporting director, although the former FC Barcelona president has not confirmed the news.