Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic lamented the exit of sporting director Robert Fernandez but welcomed the appointments of Eric Abidal and Ramon Planes.
In an interview with Marca, the Croatian international, currently preparing for the World Cup in Russia, admitted he was “surprised” that Barça have cut ties with Robert.
“I didn’t know anything,” he said. “I have a really good relationship with Robert. I wanted to thank him for everything, I’m grateful for how he’s treated me.
“Sometime football is how it is. He was spectacular with me and it’s a shame that he’s going because he’s a great person and a hard worked. We have to leave it at that and keep on improving because we always want the best for Barça. And the president [Bartomeu] has taken this decision, so we all get behind it.”