Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who was in charge from 2003 to 2010, revealed on Tuesday that he plans to return to the ballot box in the next club elections, planned for 2021.
The club won two Champions League trophies with the 56-year-old as president, along with four LaLiga Santander titles, and it was under Laporta's stewardship that Pep Guardiola was given his chance to be promoted from B team head coach to the head coach of the first team.
"I'm planning to go back, though I haven't decided yet," Laporta said in a conference organised in Beijing by the US Chamber of Commerce in China.
"I'm still not sure about it but I'm thinking about how we could return with a good project again."
Laporta has been outspoken in his thoughts on current president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who defeated him in the 2015 elections.
"I do not like their attitude, they never face up to situations," Laporta said when asked about the current board.
"They are not transparent and they need to improve this.
"In economic terms, the club has a huge debt which is very difficult to confront due to the new stadium redevelopment.
"The ratio between wages and income is very high.
"They are leaving the club in bankruptcy and this is very dangerous.
"They run the club through surveys; in my opinion, they do not have a model for the club."
He also spoke about the need to focus once again on La Masia, rather than signing known commodities.
"La Masia needs to be rebuilt to produce players who can become stars," said Laporta.
"We need coaches who are brave enough to put a [Leo] Messi on the pitch at 16 years old [as Frank Rijkaard did]."
INCANSABLE
0
Yeah an example if that is the signing of Vidal and now going for Rabiot.Why sign Players when you already have the young academy players.
zoaceopst
0
yeah supported,last masia is the way forward
Morteza_Bluagrana
2
Come Back and please bring Pep too ๐
bibkory
0
we need u back n pep as President and coach respectively
bibkory
1
I agree with van gal barca should forget him and concentrate on Dembele because he is our future player
zibkls
1
d only ticket to restore la masia,tiki taka,n pep guardiola.I'm already on d queue wit my vote.
Vobbcknrt
1
Welcome in advance...
INCANSABLE
7
Please come back.Barcelona needs you.We want someone who understand our philosophy and history.Not like some fools who want Valverda to be in charge of our club.#Bartomeuout
TUMELO MARIRI
5
I speak for all us Barcelona fans when I say WE WANT OUR PROPER CLUB BACK๐ข AND IT AIN'T HAPPENING UNTIL BARTOMEU LEAVES!!!!!!
TUMELO MARIRI
3
COME BACK, JOAN LAPORTA!! PLEASE!!!
Tshoda
1
A man of great knowledge is welcome at Barcelona to correct all wrongs and restored the original Barcelona
fetaemosz
0
I concur la porta
Luhdityz
0
we need u back
barcabert
0
josep brought us arthur n coutinho
if you're trying to compare any of them to Ronaldinho you should give up with football now. under Laporta... Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Messi came through la Masia your move......
cizadlyz
0
yes we do! Laporta brought us Ronaldinho
josep brought us arthur n coutinho
SoccerSmarts
2
As long as mourinho doesnt come here then I think we will be good๐
Hukbimnopr
0
big ups Lap
Tecdekpu
1
we are waiting for you
Samoyastic
2
i really miss larpota, he's unlike diz caword board dat knws nuffin abt barcel heritage
Pocho1
4
laporta for president.
Soacmorsz
4
I support that part about rebuilding La Masia. It's time Barca starts to develop its own players again instead of investing in aged players who are soon to retire or stop performing.
Gabrielmills
1
We will be glad if you come my boss
Jhoxua11
2
When Batomeu hear this ๐ ๐ ๐
frassfamily834
17
Welcome back sir!, we fans surely miss your present this current Barca board ain't working for the good as a team to improve the club it's more of just business were the upper body of Barca gain the club/team is not gaining our worse nightmare we as Barca fans would ever have is to wake up tomorrow knowing Messi is getting old an we can't replace him that's the day I hope not to wake and think about football probly I'd go an try golf or tennis much as how neymar push through his transfer at psg how the current board let him go?...We have a academy which produce talented player today world best player came from that same academy even though it was a gamble we are 1 of the biggest club,these youngsters played their heart out to bring fort their dreams just to make Barca squad yet theirs not 1 in the squad the only reason to have them in is if 6-8 Barca player is injure or on card why not keep 1-2 in the squad let him gain experience let him develop there's so much to learn both on the pitch an off the pitch cause our best youngster main problem is off the pitch why Barca want to sell him, is like a gamble whenever he play yet he always give results even though he lose the ball more than any other player but my point let them train with the first team give them that highlight an the present of being in first team an the others will fallow an work hard enough to be that special player an fa sure he's gonna live up to that standard cause he'll know they're lots of guys want his position but instead all we do is watch them grow waiting to see which 1 will be next Messi who's gonna be next ineista next pique next Hernandez next busquit when we barely have faith in them Messi first game he didn't score yet the hole Barca board plus the coach still have the faith in him to play long side greatest Ronaldihno who knows he's gonna be the next greatest I can bet all those youngsters in the la masia is hoping to play long side Messi give them that desire if we don't how we gonna ever find the replacement fa Messi oh let me guess keep on buying out side Europe youngsters for a bargain then what big money spender like psg come knocking with a higher price which the player probly don't worth good example with de jong/de ligh then what he don't suit Barca style of play then we fans judge him who to tell our academy could provide better talent than those 2..Next issues who realise this Barca squad can barely count on 1 hand how many player come from the la masia plus who leave right now they all have age over 29 so by the next 3-4 season don't look for a next la masia player in this Barca squad we hope by then we get rid of valverde he needs to go cause he only stick with the first team an get them injure he don't know to build youngsters more like kill youngsters he don't know to rotate a squad rather than you injure ok rest I didn't have much ratings fa Enrique but he's better than valverde
Jucacklmtu
2
thank you understandable president a wandeful moment has pass for barca fans we are just manager our club coach and his staff till you come laporta
princebaba01
4
he'll continue to do this till his retirement...God bless king of fotball Leo Messi! you can argue with your phone.
Leubdotuyz
2
As much as bad you were you done a better job than this present board by far I pray for a new board leader like xavi pique etc lamasia must rise again we lost to much young players with the lack of game time and no belief of joining the big team together we stand together we fall visca el Barca.
barcabert
0
we dont need a new president
yes we do! Laporta brought us Ronaldinho
sutbmptz
3
Yeah. We need you #Laporta
GeoVasquez
7
yes he was so good for the club
abaje
0
you are will come
learn how to spell
paulkaluva
4
He seems to have good plans for the better of La Masia. The academy is currently doing nothing, and Barcelona are up chasing good players from outside who struggle to adapt to their style. If he translates what he says to what he will probably do when given the job, that's okay. We want to see Messi in a 16-year old
youngmessik
2
nice to hear from you Sir we need you back
ticimtuy
2
Your are welcome
Jananthan
3
the golden era
Abdullahi51
2
Abdullahi51
4
you are will come
nekaimntu
17
you are welcome Sir, barca needing President like you.
SpunKyRaMan
0
he is the best president ever
buying expensive players doesn't make some football president best
cizadlyz
3
we dont need a new president
cizadlyz
0
For the love of god just get that ratomeu outa there
he is the best president ever
boost
1
No please Nobita's doing well
Balancea
2
Oh no, the Dark Lord is returning.
Moebimopu
1
please do
lovekid
4
wow. please, do come back. I was wondering when we would start believing in La Masia again. they've produced great players over the years(messi,xavi,puyol,busquets,pique .....) . I loved the first team made up of La masia graduates under pep.
Koebdir
2
Pls come back
Howarsz
1
For the love of god just get that ratomeu outa there
Longlife2000
1
yes Barcelona nesbyou back again. ...๐๐๐ช
LMSEN
3
the last lines are worth gold
trollfootball27
0
Good