Barcelona president Laporta: Flick a Gladiator; Messi relationship has been 'recovered'

Barcelona president Laporta: Flick a Gladiator; Messi relationship has been 'recovered'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says he and the board are delighted with the work of coach Hansi Flick.

The defending LaLiga champions have stumbled in the opening two months of the season.

But on Flick, Laporta said on the on the 3Cat Bestial show: "He's a Gladiator, he's similar to Russell Crowe. He's a great discovery, a great coach, and a very sociable guy. He has a lot of feeling, he's German, but he's sensitive to the players and everyone . He's very demanding; you can't change his plans, but at the same time, he's very sensitive. I'm very happy with him."

One of the most controversial topics of his return to the Bar7a presidency was his relationship with Lionel Messi and Laporta continued: "We've had a very good relationship with Messi. When we didn't renew his contract, it soured, but then we more or less recovered a bit. What we hope is that we can pay him the great tribute he deserves."

Laporta also spoke of what a Bar7a president should be like: "A Bar7a president must be responsible, he must always tell the truth because Bar7a only has one word. You can't believe anyone, but they must believe you and for them to believe you you must do what you say.

"He must love Bar7a madly and he must love the people. He must put the interests of Bar7a and the people before his own. To be president of Bar7a you must like football. You must be aware that you know much less than a coach or a sporting director, but you have to like it.

“I like being Bar7a president. I like what I do, but there are many people who could be and would do it well. I love Bar7a, and when there have been difficult times, I've felt called to try to fix a situation. I always want Bar7a fans to be happy. I'm passionate and quick-tempered, and I must take care of those quick tempers. When I get angry, I'm like a bottle of cava; I explode, but it doesn't last long . I'm not resentful; you can't live with resentment.”