Joan Laporta fires Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau

According to Mundo Deportivo, Joan Laporta has fired Barcelona CEO Óscar Grau from his position. The 56-year-old has been Barça’s chief officer since September 2016, when Josep Maria Bartomeu had appointed him.

In March, the Spanish businessman had reportedly been arrested, alongside Bartomeu, only six days before the Presidential Elections took place. He has been involved in a fair share of controversy, having been linked to the i3 Ventures scandal; both Grau and Bartomeu were linked with illegal payments to i3 in a smear campaign to shift blame onto players for ‘possessing too much power in the dressing room’.

Grau has been working for the transition into Laporta’s presidency ever since his second tenure began in March. It is believed that he has transferred a lot of information to Ferran Reverter — who is reportedly set to be the next CEO — as well as Mateu Alemany: Barça’s new director of football.

The new incumbents are reportedly pleased with Grau, who has shown a positive attitude in transition; additionally, the Spanish executive has helped Laporta’s board enjoy a smooth transition into power.

Alongside Reverter, Alemany, and Laporta, Rafa Yuste is set to be the Vice President of the club. The new board is shaping up nicely with several names that bring experience and confidence into the upper echelons of the club. Building a solid foundation with the already achieving Ramon Planes, as well as Alemany, the club is set to continue changing its dynamic towards a more positive route than the last five years.

While Grau has helped in the transition of Laporta’s board, he has been at the forefront of mismanagement during Bartomeu’s presidency. His removal was essential for the new incumbents to begin steering the club in the right direction.

Jordi Cruyff may also potentially join in the summer as the club’s new technical secretary, though there are no official communications yet. The club has also fired Pere Jansà, who has been the head of the club’s social area since 2011. Finally, reports claim that Laporta is close to obtaining a new sponsorship worth over €500m. Therefore, changes are well and truly underway, and the new board is aiming to make Barça competitive in Europe once again.