Bartomeu: Barca set for 'profound changes'
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club are set for a "period of profound changes" after their season ended disappointingly.
The Camp Nou outfit were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid on Saturday, missing out on the Liga title to their opponents by three points.
Coach Gerardo Martino announced his departure by mutual consent following the match, and Bartomeu believes it will be the first of many changes as the club looks to rebuild.
"We will go into a period with profound changes," he said. "There are some players that will not continue, but our philosophy won’t change.
"There are some things that have been decided, we will announce them in the following days. We will continue with our concept of football.
"We have to acknowledge Atletico’s feats and move forward. We’re far along on many of issues we have to resolve."
Speaking specifically about Martino's departure, Bartomeu added: "The news saddens us, we really appreciate him. He’s a great person. He leaves an impressive mark on the team."
And the president also spared a thought for fans who might be angry at the level of Barca's performances this season.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"They are right," he stressed. "We only won the Spanish Super Cup and we're saddened by that.
"I’d tell them that we have a great team, that we fought on despite the problems we had."
'People will remember us because we got to No.1 in the world rankings and achieved great things - but our biggest regret is that we didn’t win anything': Ex-Everton star Kevin Mirallas opens up on 'honour' of being part of nation's golden generation
‘I’m sure we’d have finished in the top four or five if he hadn’t joined Chelsea in January. Him leaving damaged the team, but we couldn’t stand in his way’: Alan Curbishley reflects on failed Champions League dream after selling key player