FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.11.2007 13:53

"I want to give a new impulse to the project"

David Saura

Club president Joan Laporta has justified the reorganisation of the Board: “I want to give a new impulse to the project [and] encourage my colleagues to take on new responsibilities”.

According to Joan Laporta, the reorganisation is intended to motivate the members of the Board: “They are taking on new responsibilities because these are capable and well prepared people”. He explained that the directors fully back the new organisation and that he has complete confidence in their ability to take on the new responsibilities. He summed up the changes by saying: “The Club’s situation is good but it has to improve”.

A measured decision

Speaking at a press conference to unveil the internal changes, Mr Laporta insisted that the decision had not been conditioned by any recent event but rather had been under consideration since the end of last season: “It has been carefully considered. I wanted to apply [the changes] before the end of the year. I let these ideas mature and now was the ideal time to apply them. They’re designed to govern the Club until the end of the mandate. There’s no electoral aim behind them”.

Strengthening the Sports Area

The main highlight of the reorganisation is the reappearance of the vice-presidency for the Sports Area, which will be occupied by Marc Ingla with the aim of adding more muscle to the post. Mr Laporta praised the work of Mr Ingla as vice-president of marketing: “He’s a responsible person, mature and with a great capacity for work and analytical thinking. He keeps a cool head in difficult moments and is mad about football”.

Functions of Sports vice-president

Joan Laporta explained that Marc Ingla will have the following responsibilities: to ensure the application of the policies decided by the Board; to define the strategic guidelines of the sports area; and to participate in the decisions taken. However, this must be done “without interfering in the work of the coach or of the technical secretary, which doesn’t mean that he mustn’t intercede”.

Mr Laporta repeated his confidence in the work of the technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, who played a big part in this season’s new signings. He also gave his support to Frank Rijkaard and his management style: “We don’t want him to change. Everybody has their own style. We like his style and he has demonstrated that he can lead us to success”. Mr Laporta is convinced that both Rijkaard and Begiristain will work in “complete harmony” with Marc Ingla.

Ferrer, new vice-president

Apart from the Marc Ingla’s new post, Jaume Ferrer has been raised to vice-president. According to Mr Laporta, the former treasurer will be responsible for “implementing the marketing of the 21st century, which is social marketing”. Therefore, Jaume Ferrer will have to apply the criteria of corporate social responsibility in all the Club’s marketing activities.

Another vice-president, Alfons Godall, will continue in charge of the Social Area but will also take on the responsibility of spokesperson for the Board. Joan Boix is also incorporated into the Social Area and will combine this with his role as treasurer. Finally, Albert Perrín will accompany the players in their commitments with their national teams.