Madrid, April 20 (IANS) FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted that he and his board of directors intend to see out the remaining two years of their mandate.
Bartomeu has come under increasing pressure following Barca’s 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid Wednesday night which looks as if it will leave the club without any major silverware this season, reports Xinhua.
Polls carried out in the Catalan sporting press make it clear that Barca fans blame the board for the club’s disastrous season, which has seen problems both off and on the pitch, with former president Sandro Rosell forced to resign in January over alleged irregularities in the signing of Neymar from Brazilian side Santos.
The fact Bartomeu has assumed control of the club without winning the election himself has also increased calls for the club to call for new elections this summer, but speaking on Catalan TV station ‘Esport 3’ he was adamant that would not happen.
“There will be no resignations no elections,” said Bartomeu. “What we have in front of us are two years filled with hope,” he continued, adding that the club will make changes over the summer.
“There will be a deep remodelling, but not a revolution and (Director of Sport, Andoni) Zubizarreta is leading the remodelling.”
Quite how Barcelona will be able to carry out that ‘remodelling’ given they have been banned from making any signings until summer 2015 by FIFA is open to debate, but Bartomeu was clear who would be the leader of this new look Barcelona.
“Fans should understand we have to look after Lionel Messi. He has to lead the future of this club,” confirmed the president.