Barcelona have announced former player Eric Abidal will replace the outgoing Robert Fernandez as the club’s sporting director this summer.
The French former defender made over 200 appearances for the Blaugrana after joining from Lyon in 2007 before leaving for Monaco in 2013.
However, during his stint at the Camp Nou he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent a liver transplant but was then critical of his departure from the club – who were then led by Sandro Rosell.
He was part of Joan Laporta’s presidential campaign in 2015, which would have seen him named as sporting director, but lost out to Josep Maria Bartomeu’s campaign.
“FC Barcelona announce that Robert Fernandez will not extend his contract as the football first team technical secretary which runs out on June 30 of this year,” read a Barca club statement.
“The club would like to thank Robert Fernandez publicly for his commitment and dedication to FC Barcelona over the years and wishes him success in the future.
“Subsequently, FC Barcelona also announces that Eric Abidal will take over the role as football first team technical secretary. His presentation will be on Monday, July 18.
“The former Barca player returns to the club that he joined as a player in 2007 and where he won four league titles, two Copas del Rey, two Champions Leagues, four Spanish Super Cups, two Super Cups and two World Club Cups in his six seasons as a Blaugrana."
