Notable Departures: Laporta’s Changing Landscape at FC Barcelona

Joan Laporta’s second stint as president of FC Barcelona, beginning in March 2021, has witnessed a considerable transformation in the club’s executive leadership. While some exits were voluntary, others resulted from contractual terminations. Maribel Meléndez’s recent departure, the highest-ranking executive following former CEO Ferran Reverter’s exit, marks the sixth change in Laporta’s initial executive committee. Let’s explore the array of exits over the past three years, both at the executive and sporting levels.

Executive Level Departures:

Notable Exits:

1. Jordi Camps: Initially appointed as the Director of Commercial in April 2021, he resigned after three months due to disagreements with the board’s strategic direction.
2. Enric Llopart: Joined in November 2018 to lead the club’s digital department, resigned in November 2021, playing a key role in shaping the strategy with Barça Studios.
3. Ferran López: Served as the Head of Security for seven months, departing in November 2021, primarily due to professional reasons following security lapses.
4. Xavier Martín: Directed La Masia from February 2019 to November 2021, previously serving as the Director of Communication from 2011 to 2014.
5. Carles Folguera: Dismissed from the methodological area of sections in November 2021 after 25 years, previously a field hockey team goalkeeper and Director of La Masia.
6. Xavier Mas: Dismissed in March 2022 from the role of ‘compliance officer,’ responsible for risk prevention measures and investigations.
7. Ramón Ramírez: Resigned in June 2022 from the position of Director of Heritage and Espai Barça due to organizational changes.
8. José Manuel Lázaro: Dismissed in October 2022 from the role of Media Chief of Professional Sports, replaced by Ricard Franco.
9. Toni Ruiz: Chief of Corporate Communication since 2018, dismissed in October 2022, contributing to social and institutional areas.
10. Lluís Venteo: Served for less than two years as the Director of Security, replaced Ferran López in late 2021.
11. Jordi Llauradó: Resigned in June 2023, having left the Espai Barça role earlier in January, remained as a board member with direct responsibilities in the Barça Foundation.
12. Raül Cabrera: Resigned from the position of Director of Sales for the Stadium, Tour, Hospitality, and Ticketing.
13. Franc Carbó: Director of Management of the Football Area, joined in 2017, left for a new role in Saudi Arabia.
14. Mike Puig: Departed as the Head of La Masia, previously worked with Laporta and returned but later decided to disassociate.

Sporting Level Departures:

Significant Sporting Exits:

1. David Barrufet: After 37 years as a player and manager in the handball section, the club terminated his contract in May 2021.
2. Ramon Planes: Appointed Technical Secretary in 2020, parted ways mutually in November 2021.
3. Jordi Cruyff: Returned in 2021, initially as Director of International Football, later as Sporting Director, did not renew his contract.
4. Markel Zubizarreta: Architect of the successful Barça Femení, departed in September 2023, months before the contract conclusion.

Joan Laporta’s leadership continues to navigate these changes, shaping the club’s future amidst dynamic transformations.