Why is pepe leaving barcelona

We are in Catalonia. Download our app. FC Barcelona. But he is also there at the El Prat airport: Pepe Costa. They say that his task is contained in the contract that Jorge Messi negotiated with the owner sheiks of PSG. Charismatic, full of jokes and anecdotes, he was the person to call when someone needed something. Hence his nickname. The Messi at the El Prat airport in Barcelona.

Along with them, Pepe Costa. The recruitment overhaul led to the departures of a host of scouts, including Francis Cagigao, Brian McDermott and Brian Clark, as well as several more senior employees based throughout Europe. Pepe ended his debut season in England with eight goals and 10 assists across all competitions; a satisfactory return despite some inconsistent form.

There is said to be no sense of regret at signing the year-old, but many people within the game were surprised at the size of the fee Arsenal paid to Lille, especially coming from a club where finances are notoriously tight. The depth of that commitment formed part of a review into the recruitment and negotiating processes which led to such a big deal being sanctioned.

Pepe attracted interest from a number of Europe's top clubs after impressing in Ligue 1, but sources have told ESPN that individuals working for other clubs who became involved in preliminary talks with Lille were taken aback by the amount Arsenal eventually paid.

Technical director Edu joined the club three weeks before Pepe signed for Arsenal -- he held up Pepe's shirt with the winger at his unveiling -- but the bulk of the work on the deal had already been done. Former head coach Unai Emery has previously stated he preferred to sign Wilfried Zaha, but Crystal Palace wanted the majority of a similar fee up front and Arsenal opted for Pepe instead. Within the wider cost-cutting remit identified at board level, Edu has helped lead a drive to overhaul Arsenal's recruitment -- Ty Gooden, Arsenal's leading scout in France, has also been released -- in the belief that a global network is less important than data-driven analysis and forging relationships with key agents..

With COVID a contributing factor to 55 non-playing staff redundancies and further pressure on a modest summer transfer budget, Edu is determined to make every penny count. Barcelona coach Quique Setien will lead the team in Friday's Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich , but the club have already begun sounding out possible replacements, sources have told ESPN.

The overriding feeling at Barca is that Setien, hired in January, has failed to win the dressing room because of his relatively limited achievements as both a player and a coach.

They would want their next appointment to be a name that garners immediate respect among the players. Ronald Koeman has been sounded out because of his history with the club, and he remains a candidate.

Sources at Barcelona remember how he did a good job of clearing out an ageing squad at Valencia in , but there are concerns about his pragmatic playing style. He recently bought a house in Vallvidrera, next to Barcelona, although he has always stressed his desire to remain in charge of the Netherlands for the European Championships, which will take place next summer.

Former Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino is another target. However, his past with Barca's rivals Espanyol and previous comments about accepting the Barca job could complicate any appointment.

Xavi Hernandez is the obvious target, but an immediate return is unlikely after he rejected the chance in January.

Sources explain that the profile of coach wanted is clear, but there is no outstanding option for the job. FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon says it was "baffling" to hear their own fans boo their protest against racial injustice. In reality, they are not job offers, but love letters, project proposals for this most illustrious of coaches. The departure from Barca had been long and difficult and Guardiola had shared his plans with his friend Estiarte before speaking to the club, or even to Tito Vilanova, his deputy and successor.

The reason was pretty straightforward. After four years at maximum intensity, Pep was drained. He had no more to give. This was not the only reason, of course. Over his four-year tenure, Pep had been expected to act as coach, club spokesperson, virtual president and even travel co-ordinator. During that time he had also struggled to remain on good terms with two successive presidents.

He had found in Joan Laporta a dynamic but pushy man who possessed volcanic energy and who could be supportive one minute and undermining the next.