Joan Laporta, the respite and the strategy

Barcelona have some footballing respite. Ratifying Koeman and Madrid losing have given Laporta some oxygen to focus on what is worrying him deep down. The socios assembly on October 17. During these two weeks without games, his strategy will be to try and gain support for his cause, to overcome an important meeting for his mandate and the club’s future. Barca are immersed in a triple crisis, sporting, economic and institutional. The financial situation is so grave that it conditions all. Any decision made has to be in the light of the financial black hole Bartomeu left.

On Wednesday, Barca CEO Ferran Reverter will publish his due diligence findings. They could be tough conclusions which lead to judicial action against the former board. Laporta wants to explain the club’s state so people can understand his management in the last six months. As a candidate, he had an idea of the club’s position. As president he’s found it to be worse than he thought.

Barca, after the elections, were on the brink of collapse. They could not pay salaries. Any other business would have been declared bankrupt. More than one friend advised Laporta to renounce the presidency. He wanted to revert the situation and is convinced he can do it. He needs his plan approved at the assembly to do it.

A plan that included a radical twist over Koeman’s future. On Thursday, he was sentenced. A substitute was needed. On Saturday, Laporta changed his mind. Two sincere conversations with the coach and a Whatsapp Laporta sent to all the board to announce his decision. Many believe it’s a movement to buy time, calm down Barcelona fans and arrive in peace at the assembly. After that? We’ll see.