The sports director of women’s Barça, Markel Zubizarretafaces the key hours to leave the Barça club, according to Barça sources. As EL PERIÓDICO already advancedMarkel Zubizarreta has already asked the board to leave the club before the Champions League final but after various meetings with the board, the decision was made to continue. Now, seeing the new sports management and after tense meetings with the new members, Zubizarreta has made the decision to leave the club, sources from the entity tell EL PERIÓDICO. This Friday there will be the last meetings with which the club expects it to disassociate itself from the entity.
In fact, Markel Zubizarreta had decided not to be part of the expedition that is leaving this weekend for the mexican tour of the women’s team, due to various disagreements with the new sports management.
The tension in the offices has been real for a few months. Before the Champions League final in which Barça got their second crown, Markel Zubizarreta asked the board to terminate his contract at the end of the season despite having signed with the club until 2024. In the end, however, the architect of the women’s Barça reconsidered his position and remained in office.
Interference and cuts
There are different situations that already motivated Zubizarreta’s decision at the time. The interference by the club’s board and the discomfort due to the imminent cutback policy are key pieces to understand the reflection of the Barça sports manager. He feminine is no stranger to the financial situation of the club, although the fact that it is the only self-sufficient section will make the cuts affect them differently: they will not have to reduce expenses, but they will not be able to increase them either. Difficult task considering that in 2024 the contract ends spine of the team: Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Mariona Caldentey, Mapi León, Sandra Paños and Lucy Bronze, among others. A total of 14 players will finish their contract next summer.
Now, with the new sports management, the tension has been rising. The interference of this new technical secretariat commanded by decoration have been one of the key factors for Markel to make this decision. The lack of freedom Faced with this key season for women, where great figures such as Alexia, Mapi León or Aitana have to renew, they have been one of the main reasons for Zubizarreta’s decision to leave. Of the list of requests made to the secretariat to be able to carry out the work in the offices correctly, beyond money or renewals, according to sources to EL PERIÓDICO, none has been granted.
A sample of these disagreements has occurred in the Johan Cruyff box this Thursday, where Markel has held “an intense conversation” with people from the culé executive.
Architect of a leading team
The discretion has always been a key element to Markel’s work. Always in the second line and more aware of the offices what of the camerashas not welcomed the change that the club was asking for: to become a spokesman team asset.
Markel Zubizarreta began his work as sports director of Barcelona women’s soccer at 2017when an illustrious member of the team like Xavi Llorens He left the Barça bench. From discretion and success has marked his work in the offices. The signing of Lieke Martenshired before being the MVP of the 2017 Euro Cup, was a clear message of what the club could aspire to.
big milestones
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signed to Mapi Leonled to the return of Jenni Beautiful and seduced Caroline Graham Hansen for them to sign for Barcelona. She also bears the signature of her the most expensive transfer in the history of women’s football: Kheira Walsh, 400,000 euros last summer. A contract that reduced the sporting consequences of the long-term injury of Alexia Putellas. His last major operation has been to close the agreement with Manchester United winger Ona Batlle, a great Barça goal for seasons, and he has also directed the renewal of the captain.
During his time in charge of the team, Zubizarreta has achieved great milestones, such as the creation and management of a project that has ended up being intractable in Spain and that in four of the last five years has reached the Champions League final. Under his tutelage he has had four coaches: Xavi weeping (2006-17), Fran Sanchez (2017-19), Luis Cuts (2019-21) and Jonathan giraldez (2021-present).