Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, granted this Monday night a new interview in his long campaign. This, to RAC1. Beyond the opinion that he had already expressed about the arrest of Josep Maria Bartomeu, there was some interest in knowing if he admitted interest in the signing of Mikel Arteta as a possible replacement for Ronald Koeman on the Barça bench with a view to the 2021-22 season . He did not deny it: “I'm not talking about names this season. Our coach when we arrive is Koeman. He is a great of Barça who has as a margin the results and the game. We will find a technical team that is what there is; and I will not destabilize them. From the experience of being president, I do not want to give names because I will destabilize it. I will not comment on anything on the subject. ” He was lukewarm, but admitted that “Koeman is face to face and was flawless. Comprehensive. You can talk to him”, He said. In addition, he assured that he understood the situation of Èric García.
And he continued with Xavi: “He is an asset of Barcelona.. If appropriate, we will see if it fits. It is not a question of getting wet or not. Xavi has been used by a candidacy. Either they have used it or it has been left to use. All people have a time and a maturation. And when I see that there are people who say that he will be a general manager, I think there is a misuse of him. And of course she has spoken to him. We have had great experiences with him. And the case of Xavi I see it that way. You will not use it. Regarding Koeman and I have the contract in force. I hope I do well. What I will never do is put the sports career of someone like Xavi and Jordi Cruyff at risk. The time will come to fit them. In the case of Xavi, you just made the transition from player to coach; and in the case of Jordi, has transitioned from player to coach and technical secretary. But it wouldn't put his career at risk. “