In June 2008, former Barcelona sports vice-president Sandro Rosell announced at a press conference that he would take part in the next presidential elections. Last month, he confirmed in an interview with Catalan radio station Ràdio Barcelona that nothing had changed since that announcement.Despite the fact that Rosell reportedly decided not to start campaigning before the end of this year (and maybe not even before the elections are called), he would be close to finishing his program. Several media have in the past weeks reported on his project. This blog will give an overview of what has been published so far.
Guardiola
Rosell fully supports the working methods and ideas of Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola, who will stay on as Barcelona manager if he wishes so. Guardiola will be given more decision power, for example regarding the transfers and the youth academy, and would become a 'British-style' manager.
Sports director
The position of sports director will disappear in the new club structure, which would mean that current Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain will have to leave the club.
Incoming transfers
Rosell will start working on the transfers during the first months of next year. The transfer operations will also depend on the financial situation of the club, on which Rosell has some doubts (read more here).
Cesc
Although several media have claimed that Rosell would already have an agreement with Arsenal midfielder and former Barcelona youth player Cesc Fàbregas (22), both the player (in public) and Rosell (in private) have denied there would be a deal.
Robinho
If Guardiola wishes to sign Manchester City winger Robinho (25) next summer, Rosell would be confident the deal can be done. As former Nike executive in Brazil, Rosell still follows the local market closely and has good contacts in the South-American country.
Puyol
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol (31) is seen as a club icon and will therefore be offered to become part of the club's coaching staff once his career has ended. This would not be linked to Puyol's upcoming decision to renew his expiring contract or to leave the club next summer.
African youth players
Rosell wants to focus more on African players and therefore wants to develop and open youth academies on that continent.
this is the second part of a four-parts series. the next part will cover the people who could be part of rosell's board. you can read the whole series here.
Read the first part of this series:
The Rosell Project - Part 1: The Club
sources for this series:
el mundo deportivo, sport, el 9 esportiu, as, gol, pelikano, britcorner, intereconomía tv, tv3, rac 1, ràdio barcelona, radio marca and own research
Posts
Robinho or someone else: we need a player who can come off the bench and change a game!
ReplyDeleteFinally! Someone that wants to really get into the African market to get a hand on all the talent that is out there. Nigeria would be a great country to open youth academies in. They always make it far in the youth tournaments.
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of Pep having more control and taking charge of Txiki's position as well.
So far, he's my favourite candidate.
@OmarX,
ReplyDeleteI point out that this is the unconfirmed program, it's basically what's coming through the rumour mill. Rosell is not expected to start campaigning (and explaining his program) before January of next year.
African players? Really? So what happens when the African Nations Cup comes around and we lose the players? Focus on local talent instead or else we will lose those kids when they are 16 and other clubs will take them away for free.
ReplyDelete