Barça have struggled in the first half of the season. But Joan Gaspart, the club’s former chairman between 2000 and 2003, remains optimistic. Appearing on the programme El 10 del Barça, the former manager discussed issues such as the Super League, Kylian Mbappé and claims that the Blaugrana will win everything this season with… Xavi Hernandez, the coach decried by fans.
Joan Gaspart is a well-known figure in the history of Barcelona. He is clearly the worst president the Blaugrana club has ever had, after a disastrous administration that culminated in the sale of captain Luis Figo to Real Madrid, but he still holds Barça close to his heart. In a recent appearance on El 10 del Barça, Joan Gaspart, former Barça president between 2000 and 2003, expressed his satisfaction at Xavi Hernandez’s prowess and wants to see Barça win every trophy this season.
We have a problem: we can’t fail,” noted Gaspart. We have to win everything. Xavi will find the system to win again. We didn’t play well at the end of 2023, but that will end and we’ll start sweeping the pitch. On top of that, we’re building one of the best stadiums in the world,” he added.
He also claims that Barça are only four points behind Real Madrid and Girona in the title race – not seven – because Xavi’s men will be winning at the Bernabeu (against Real Madrid) and at Montilivi. “I’m pro-Xavi. He’s our coach and he should continue to be. We’re going to fight for every title, that’s for sure. And if I’m wrong, I’ll admit it, but I think and I say, we’ll do the treble this season,” declared Gaspart.
Gaspart gushes about Super League
The former manager also commented on the Superliga, saying that the victory was a triumph for the club in economic terms. He points out that the legalisation of the Superliga and the ability to negotiate with UEFA is already a success. And for this, he praises current president Joan Laporta for his leadership and determination in this project.
“David managed to defeat Goliath. It was an unequal battle. From a financial point of view, the club will benefit. We’ve managed to legalise the Superliga and now it will be possible to negotiate with UEFA, although we mustn’t go to war,” said the former president, considered by many to be one of Barça’s worst presidents.
During his speech, Gaspart recalled his tenure as president and vice-president of the club, and stated that his support for the Superliga did not mean that he was allying himself with Florentino Pérez, but that he was opting for a shared philosophy. He criticised opponents such as La Liga president Javier Tebas for rejecting the project.
“I have not been a president with sporting success, which is what the members want, but as a person I have always felt loved because people don’t forget the time when I was vice-president. My love will be Barça, it has been since I was born and it will be until the day I die,” added the former Blaugrana boss.
Regarding Kylian Mbappé, Gaspart suggested that Real Madrid could have secured his signature. He compared the situation to the transfer of Luis Figo from Barça to Real Madrid when he was President of the Catalan club and Florentino Perez had just arrived at the White House. “I think Real Madrid have already signed him. They’ve done something similar to what they did with Luis Figo. I have the feeling they’ve signed him, and I hope I’m wrong, but I think they have. He’s a great player,” he said.
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