Joan Laporta officially ran for the presidential elections of FC Barcelona in January on Friday. The 58-year-old Catalan was already successful president of the Spanish top club between 2003 and 2010.
“Seven candidates, one president. If you want ‘Barça’ to become ‘Barça’ again, remember that Laporta has a successful history. It is a privilege to lead his campaign. If you like ‘Barça’, support him” ! “, Lluis Carrasco, Laporta’s campaign manager, writes on Friday Twitter.
Laporta will present his plans Monday morning at the Hospital de Sant Pau, a hospital in Barcelona. Then it may also become clear whether he wants to keep Ronald Koeman as trainer or if he has another trainer in mind if he is elected. Laporta said in May that he would like to see Pep Guardiola return to Camp Nou.
The lawyer is running in the presidential election for the fourth time. In 2003 and 2006 he won and in 2015 he lost to Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned at the end of last month after intense criticism.
In the seven years that Laporta was boss at Barcelona, the club won the Champions League twice (in 2006 under Frank Rijkaard and in 2009 under Guardiola). In addition, ‘Barça’ took the Spanish title four times, once the cup, three times the Spanish Supercup, one time the World Cup and one time the European Supercup.
Laporta is the eighth man to run for the election. Víctor Font, Toni Freixa, Xavi Vilajoana, Emili Rousaud, Pere Riera, Lluís Fernàndez Alà and Jordi Farré also hope to succeed Bartomeu.
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Joan Laporta brought Frank Rijkaard to FC Barcelona in 2003. (Photo: Pro Shots)
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