More reactions have been trailing controversial events at the Nou Camp consequent to the occurrences in recent weeks, including the issue about Messi‘s transfer saga with Barcelona plus his contract leak by El Mundo. The whole camp seems to be in darkness about the whole issue of the Argentine. Gerard Pique came from the angle of leadership.
One of the top players of the club, Gerard Pique has poured out his thoughts as regards Josep Maria Bartomeu‘s leadership at Barca and his untimely exit from the club.
Recall that the former chief resigned with the entire board stepping down from their posts last October. He has been criticized for how he ran the club board with his subordinates.
Hence he was challenged on the huge 8-2 defeat suffered by Catalan giants from Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich at the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, which was tagged as the worst defeat for the Spanish side in recent years.
Bartomeu was heavily criticized for how he manhandled the issues surrounding Messi’s transfer saga, stating that he wants to leave the club.
But Pique aired his opinion while having an online chat with a social media influencer Ibai Llanos (they conversed in the Spanish language), trying to explain the situation report at the camp. The Spanish defender blasted Bartomeu on his leadership qualities. He said the ex-Barca chief threw an apple of discord to the club by creating a lot of problems during his reign.
It is no news that Barca is in a financial crisis, which is mostly coming from the outbreak of the coronavirus. According to the summary of the club’s annual report, it revealed that Barca has reached ‘1.2 billion euros debt with some short-term debt of about 730 million euros’, as articulated by Goal
But, Pique dragged Bartomeu’s leadership qualities in the mud, as tough times began to rise at the reign of the Spaniard. He said Bartomeu was trying to run from problems.
“When you try to escape from problems & you delegate and you don’t appear, everything becomes very complicated. Problems are not solved by themselves. “The club needed more leadership, for the president to show his face. We went from misunderstandings to problems and that’s how things had ended.” Pique said.
The Spain International said the former club’s chief has turned deaf ears to speak with the players on several occasions.He also spoke about Messi’s transfer which Bartomeu has delayed simultaneously.
“I had told him about more than once, ‘Presi, come to the dressing room or come to the Sports City [training ground]. We need to talk, but he never came.”, the 34-year-old defender said.
“Florentino [Perez] has qualities that Bartomeu never had.” he compared Bartomeu to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez,
He opined on the club’s presidential election which is set to hold by March the 7th. He said the aspirants are competent to run the club. There are three aspirants-Joan Laporta, Victor Font, and Toni Freixa-vying for the seat.
“The three candidates are competent. Whoever wins is going to do well. We must look towards the future, looking at the past only serves to correct mistakes. Those of us who are members will vote. I don’t know how many members we have in the team.”
Gerard Pique has only managed eighth appearances with Barca in the 2020/21 campaign. Barca-are second place on the La Liga table- will face Real Betis next Sunday.
