Joan Laporta will stand for election again after having been the most successful president in the history of Barcelona. Laporta was at the helm when Barça won two Champions League titles (in 2006 and 2009 under Rijkaard and Guardiola respectively) and four Liga titles (2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09 and 2009-10). In addition, after joining the club in 2003 when he succeeded Joan Gaspart as president, Barcelona won a Copa del Rey in 2009, three Spanish Super Cups (2005, 2006 and 2009) and one UEFA Super Cup (2009), as well as a Club World Cup (2009).
Joan Laporta’s previous mandate, which ran until 2010, was also well known for his clashes with Sandro Rosell, who was Laporta’s right-hand man in the early days before becoming his greatest enemy. Rosell left after two years alongside Laporta and a vote of no confidence was led against the president in 2008. There were more than 60 per cent of votes in favour of the motion but it did not reach the 66 per cent required by the bylaws. Much of the board resigned, however, and Laporta clung on to office and oversaw the sextet of trophies that saved his image with Guardiola in charge. After various scandals, including alleged spying by several of his directors, Rosell succeeded Laporta as president in 2010.