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Barcelona certainly seem to have enjoyed their month so far and are on a high at the moment. In addition to improvements on the pitch, the Catalan giants elected the popular Joan Laporta as their new president and will hope that his appointment marks the dawn of a new era for the club.
Barcelona have endured a spectacular fall over the past few years and have been ravaged by the incompetence of a series of poor administrators. The once-omnipotent Blaugrana's reputation as a flagbearer of empowerment has been dragged through the mud by the likes of Bartomeu and the new administration has a massive mountain to climb to restore Barcelona's former glory.
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Joan Laporta has plenty of experience at Barcelona
Joan Laporta is Barcelona's answer to Real Madrid's Florentino Perez. The Catalan administrator has the guile, charisma, and experience to pull Barcelona out of the hole they find themselves in and will be intent on righting the wrongs of his predecessors.
Laporta was Barcelona's president from 2003 to 2010 and spearheaded the club's resurgence as a European superpower. The newly-appointed president shares excellent relationships with some of the best players in the club's history and may well be able to bring some big names back to Barcelona over the next few years.
#5 Victor Valdes
For well over a decade, Victor Valdes was one of the most passionate members of an exceptional Barcelona team. The Spanish shot-stopper rose through the ranks at La Masia and won an astonishing 11 trophies over the course of a glittering career with Barcelona.
Valdes was one of the best goalkeepers in the world with the ball at his feet and his in-depth knowledge of Barcelona's philosophy makes him an excellent asset to the club. Goalkeepers at the Catalan club need to acquire a predefined set of skills and Valdes may well be the perfect addition to Laporta's team.
The former Barcelona goalkeeper did serve as a youth coach under the previous administration but his tenure came to an acrimonious end after a rift with Patrick Kluivert. Joan Laporta is on excellent terms with Victor Valdes, however, and seems intent on bringing the shot-stopper back to his boyhood club.
#4 Jordi Cruyff
Jordi Cruyff might not have had an exceptional playing career at Barcelona but can certainly make a name for himself as an able administrator. The former midfielder has spent several years in directorial and managerial roles across the world and can potentially make his return to Barcelona under Joan Laporta.
Cruyff is reportedly yet to receive a formal offer from Barcelona but there have been indications from Laporta's entourage that the Shenzhen FC coach could be appointed in an administrative role at the club.
Barcelona consider the legendary Johan Cruyff as their sporting idol and appointing his son under the new administration could signal a return to the club's roots. Joan Laporta has placed emphasis on a return to the glory days and the appointment of Jordi Cruyff will likely go down well with the fanbase.
#3 Carles Puyol
Barcelona's glory days under Pep Guardiola were marked by a distinct fighting spirit that seems to have disappeared in recent years. Former captain Carles Puyol is arguably the greatest leader in Barcelona's history and the Catalan giants could use his qualities in what has been a tumultuous couple of years.
Puyol has been offered administrative posts at Barcelona in the past and served as the assistant sporting director at the club a few years ago. Under Joan Laporta's tutelage, however, Puyol could be given added responsibility at the club that has so heavily relied on their lion-hearted captain in the past.
Barcelona are in dire need of inspiration both on and off the pitch at the moment and Carles Puyol's involvement in the club's sporting activities could have a massive impact on the club's fortunes. Puyol remains a staunch supporter of the club and his excellent relationship with Joan Laporta could potentially blossom into a professional alliance.
#2 Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola's insistence on staying at Manchester City makes him the most left-field choice on this list by a country mile. That being said, the Catalan manager remains a staunch fan of Barcelona and a return to the club that unearthed his potential can never be ruled out.
Guardiola is arguably the most high-profile manager in the world at the moment and Joan Laporta would have to move heaven and earth to bring Barcelona's favourite child back to the Camp Nou. The Manchester City manager has made it explicitly clear that he will not return to Barcelona but with Laporta at the helm, a sensational return may well be on the cards.
Pep Guardiola was immensely successful with Barcelona and won 14 trophies in his four years at the club. The former Blaugrana midfielder completed an incredible sextuple in 2009 and had a revolutionary impact on the way Spanish football was perceived across Europe. With Laporta intent on fulfilling his promises of a rejuvenation, Pep Guardiola may well be tempted to return to the club that made him a living legend.
#1 Xavi
Xavi's return to Barcelona is arguably only a matter of time. The Al Sadd coach is perfecting his trade in Qatar at the moment and seems intent on picking the right moment to return to the club of his dreams.
Barcelona's presidential elections gave rise to several points of contention and Victor Font may well have made an error by placing all his faith in Xavi's return to the club. Joan Laporta is known for his pragmatism, however, and could work towards the appointment of a former player who was always destined to become a coach at Barcelona.
Xavi's impressive track record as a manager in Qatar does hold him in good stead but with Laporta backing Ronald Koeman at the moment, the former Barcelona midfielder does have a few more years to hone his craft. Joan Laporta has held his long-term plans close to his chest, however, and could potentially take a leaf out of Victor Font's book and appoint Xavi as Ronald Koeman's successor a few years down the line.
