:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ODLRS6OMAWYMFBFR5IGS7NJZMI.jpg)
Club is in freefall and president Laporta had been trying since the summer to replace the Dutch man
Victor Font
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7X4RAOC33AT2DCAP4P4CT22OZM.jpg)
‘Returning legend’ plans to clear out club’s old guard – except Messi – but it won’t be easy
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/O6DDY2Y6BDI4PWTHXWUGH7ILN4.jpg)
Barcelona legend on life in Japan, pining for football and the troubles facing his old club
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/TCPX7O6WMN2U6H5TV4BRR3D6GE.jpg)
Everyone seems to know the head coach is leaving but nobody will come out and tell him
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QIN7YDFPIFCIFDSYBMG6A3FEOY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/U5HST37F7ZNZVA7GLELIY4OF6U.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/6MI7HXZ3DFYK4F4N5CQFI7QW7A.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/EG2R7DNTYFAL5HN3LZX7ORWBDU.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/G2W4W3ENMR3NTDA7EXZ7O62GDQ.jpg)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QF3X7Z2CJNEZHPDUSBJU7N52M4.png)
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MRAWJHXHSFHRTFQGSZUM7X26PM.jpg)
Your complete guide to fixtures and results
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IPILGKFYNBAIBKNA44CCFHXSCY.png)
Start The Search For Your Next Job
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/X56M66S2PJGUZDWEIBHMBFTYUI)
Latest news and analysis on the battle to save the planet
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/36UL665CSVBZRJLKDEWO7J6QPM.png)
Audio versions of the best journalism from The Irish Times
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/6RIXRYTX4RC4FOGBX6TGGNZHDU.jpg)
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices