Following the exit of Josep Maria Bartomeu, it’s not difficult to tell how delighted Barcelona’s fans were with the news of his resignation, who left behind an era that was marked by boardroom scandals and on pitch disgrace.
Barcelona’s Presidential election is set to come up next year in other to address the unpalatable situation going on at the club, as the Catalan-based club has been shrouded with so many scandals off the pitch during the reign of the former supremo.
The resignation of Bartomeu leaves many Barcelona fans in a jubilant mood, celebrating the exit of their President. His exit also leaves a lot on the minds of the fans, on who their next president would be as the race to elect a new President takes center stage.
An individual who has been elected Barcelona president earns a mandate to serve in the post for six years. That means elections take place every six years, barring extraordinary circumstances.
Carlos Tusquets, the new interim president will guide the Catalan giants through the next few months ahead of the new board elections early next year.
Cheapgoals will in this piece look at the best candidates that would be the next Barcelona president.
The Contenders
- Joan Laporta
Life under the former President can be said to be a fruitful reign for him and the entire Catalan fans when he took over in 2003-10. At the time he took over, Barcelona was seriously faced with massive problems on the pitch, winning no major trophies since 1999.
In Laporta’s first year, a lot of changes were expected from the fans. Unfortunately, the trained lawyer turned President couldn’t perform any magic but he demanded patience from the fans.
The following season the signing of Frank Rijkaard as the manager and Ronaldinho from Paris Saint Germain, revamped the club and from then on it was all victory plus success stories for the Catalan side.
As all the candidates are gradually preparing for next year’s election, albeit Laporta just announces his candidacy.
As it stands Laporta is no doubt one of the best candidates to watch out for because he certainly knows how to reach out to the club members for their support. And more so he could also take solace or bank on the impressive legacy of being the President who brought success back to Barcelona.
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- Victor Font
If there is any man that could give Joan Laporta a run for his money during the election and also has the capability to split the pro-independence vote is no one other than Victor Font. The outspoken Font is the first to announce his intention for the Barcelona Presidency post.
Font’s candidacy has been a long time coming and he has been preparing painstakingly for the post. Amidst making his intention known, he also has a great vision for the club planning on making the election process electronic so that more of the club legends could be part of the decision making at the club.
In addition to all of his plans, he also plans on bringing a great change to the club’s income. In other to step out of debt and stand on their feet come the year 2030.
The plan to bring the club legend Xavi Hernandez also carries an integral part in Font’s project, as the run for the next supremo builds up. Font looks like the anointed son of the Catalan government to win the election.
- Jordi Farre
With the role Jordi Farre played in Bartomeu’s resignation, he would no doubt serve well and garner a lot of support from the fans heading into the election. The business tycoon was also very instrumental in advocating for the independence of Catalan.
With all of these references and his plan of bringing Jurgen Kloop to Barcelona should he win the election, put him on the right track to be a major contender.
In one of Farre’s statement talking about his plan to persuade the greatest player in the history of the club (Messi) to stay back at the club, despite bridges been burnt between him and the former board “If he wants to spend a year at Newell’s we’d be delighted“.
Weird right? You can’t blame Farre, every candidate is definitely going to do everything possible to make Messi happy.
The 44-year-old presidential candidate also went further, that his plans for Messi depend on the available options designed to keep the Argentine at Nou Camp, which would be open to him should he wins the election.
“Leo will play wherever he wants, we would be delighted if asks us if he could spend a year playing at Newell’s, return and see out his playing days at Barcelona”.
With this kind of statement, if Farre finds favor and grace from the Catalan fans and board, he no doubts has a chance to come out triumphant in the election.
Most especially with his plan to give Messi complete freedom to choose how he wants to see out the final years of his playing career. The fans would perhaps be happy with such a plan with the hope to see their greatest player retires at the club.
- Toni Freixa
Freixa was a candidate in 2015 and he has confirmed once again he would be contesting in the election come next year. During the administration of Sandro Rosell he occupied various positions on the Barcelona board, he also served as the club’s representative to the Spanish Football Federation.
With his admiration for Koeman, it’s crystal clear should he triumph in the election, the Dutch manager would continue with the tinkering of the team.
However, a candidate like Victor Font has made it clear that should he win next year’s election, the former Netherlands manager would be replaced with former club legend Xavi Hernandez.
Considering his project which is set to be built around Koeman’s leadership and decisions on the pitch, those who are in support of the former Netherland gaffer’s work would hope Freixa wins the election.
Freixa was also involved under Bartomeu but left in 2015 following his ups and down with the former president. He is also seen as a strong candidate who has experience on his side to help bring back the club to its old glory days and has no pro-independence links.
The Jokers
- Emili Rousaud
With the legal war on corruption that transpired between Bartomeu and Rousaud in April, which is still very fresh in the memories of all Catalan faithful, the former Vice President doesn’t look like a decent Presidential candidate for the election.
Rousaud was supposed to be the continuity candidate been the Vice President to Bartomeu. However, he left his position after the Barcagate impropriety.
Rousaud was considered a mole leaking information to the media by the former President. With such an allegation still very much on the media space, it’s evident that Rousaud’s ambition for the post of President is already a lost battle.
Albeit, he did agree that he spoke with the media but never leaked any information out.
As it stands Rousaud is more of a joker and not one of the favorite candidates to win the election, not for anything but due to his involvement in the corruption case. A tag that the board wouldn’t want to associate themselves with, perhaps the consensus board Rousaud is looking to form might work magic for him.
- Agusti Benedito
Benedito was also in the last two presidential elections and since then he’s been under the radar, although yet to officially announce his candidacy.
However, should he decide to announce his candidacy, Benedito would have his work cut out to emerge above the other candidates who have an impressive legacy that could work in their favor.
Benedito may not be fortunate with an impressive legacy like that of Laporta or be the chosen son of the Catalan government(Font). However, his experience is the only weapon he has that could provide him with a solid base of support, yet his experience still doesn’t count him to be a more formidable candidate.
Benedito was also strongly involved in getting the signatures of 16,570 club members in other to take the vote of no confidence against the former supremo and his directors to a referendum. Unfortunately, he could only muster 12,504 signatures before the deadline.
With his involvement in Bartomeu’s resignation and a bit of power still in the hands of the former president, which may be used against him. And more so, he doesn’t look like an ideal candidate who has a great plan at hand for the club.
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- Xavi Vilajoana
Coming from a different association to stand for the Presidential election is one big obstacle that could hinder his chances. After serving on the board of former President, Vilajoana who is a former Barcelona youth player would have the opportunity to test his experience in next year’s election.
He has been in charge of the youth team and women’s football at the club, and also with the fact that his father was also a former board member could push him further up the ladder. However, all of that still doesn’t rank him among the best candidates for the presidential post.
- Lluis Fernandez
His idea is to bring freshness to the club, likewise putting more effort into La Masia’s growth. And also to reduce the obsession of buying expensive players who don’t add value to the team and selling them cheap.
Fernandez is the third candidate to enter the presidential race months ago after Font and Laporta. He believes that all members of Barcelona have the same values and principles that is, “Love for Barcelona, for Catalonia, and Honesty”.
He also believes that the need for a change at the club couldn’t be more evident than now, perhaps these may serve as the right emotion to get him the votes. Still, he doesn’t have the legacy to win the election.
