Barcelona have dismissed director of football Andoni Zubizarreta, the Spanish La Liga side have announced.
Zubizarreta, former Spain and Barca goalkeeper, replaced compatriot Txiki Begiristain in the summer of 2010 and has served in the position for the past four years. The 53-year-old was contracted with the club until 2016.
A Barcelona statement read: “The Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has decided to terminate as of today the contract of the club’s director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta. The president, in the name of the club, thanks Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution, dedication and professionalism over the last four years in his role at the head of the club’s football area.”
Highly-rated Sevilla sporting director Monchi has been linked with the vacant director of football position at the Basque club.
Meanwhile, former club captain Carles Puyol has also announced that he will be leaving the Camp Nou. Puyol retired from football last summer and has been working under Zubizarreta since September.
The former Spain defender said on his official Facebook page: “I want to announce that I have decided to finalise my working relationship with FC Barcelona.
“These three and a half months have given me the opportunity to see another side of the club. I’ve learned a lot, I’m very grateful and, now, I would like to experience other things from a different perspective and from other places.
“I want to grow both personally and professionally so that, in the future, hopefully I can return to this house and give back everything you have given me during these unforgettable years.
“I’m enormously grateful to the staff, directors, president and sporting management for trusting in me and helping me in this transition, which hasn’t been at all easy for me.
“And above all to the fans, who as a player I’ve always felt very close to and now, since my retirement, even more so.”
Barcelona trail La Liga leaders Real Madrid by a solitary point and are into the round of 16 of the Uefa Champions League. They will face Elche in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
