MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 00:59:34| >> :120:34033:34033:

Barcelona 'decide against sacking sporting director Eric Abidal'

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu reportedly decides against sacking sporting director Eric Abidal in the wake of the club's 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern.

Barcelona have reportedly decided against sacking sporting director Eric Abidal in the wake of the club's humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

The Spanish giants are expected to undergo a major club-wide overhaul after a trophyless campaign, with the board's positions among those to have come under particular scrutiny.

Manager Quique Setien has already been sacked, and Abidal has also taken much of the blame for Barca's plight after a string of expensive signings - including £100m+ arrivals Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann - failed to impress.

However, Spanish radio station Cadena Cope reports that Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has decided to keep Abidal in his current role as he believes the Frenchman will play an important part in the short-term rebuild.

A number of high-profile players are thought to available for transfer and Abidal is expected to work with the new manager - rumoured to be Ronald Koeman - to oversee that period of change.

Abidal had a public fallout with talisman and captain Lionel Messi earlier this season after suggesting that some of the players were responsible for Ernesto Valverde's January sacking.

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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Ousmane Dembele in rare action for Barcelona in November 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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