​Ex-Barcelona director Abidal open to England move; reveals Leicester talks

Football
23 Mar 2021 • 12:28 PM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is considering a move to England to further his career.

Adibal worked as a director of football at Barcelona under the previous regime, before leaving last August.

The recent election of Juan Laporte means further changes at the Catalan giants, and Adibal is interested in the Premier League as his next destination.

The former defender sat down with The Telegraph, where he discussed his time at Barca and what he plans for his future.

He said: "When I started my masters in 2015 with Uefa and at the Centre for Sports Law and Economics in Limoges in France, I was really convinced that my future would be as a sporting director.

"And after two years' experience at Barcelona, I can tell you 100 per cent that this is what I want to do.

"You don't have a lot of clubs like Barcelona.

"But if you have a club with a real project, focus on the academy, focus on the performance of the first-team, really good balance between economy and performance and, as well, a small team of decision-makers, this would be an environment that would be good for me because you have to deal with a few people who all go in the same direction to achieve the same objective. This is my philosophy.

"Around the world, Leicester City is one of the clubs I am really impressed with. I talked to them while I was at Barcelona and they are very focused on the target and everybody knows their role.

"The atmosphere internally in the club is very positive as well and everybody feels comfortable and they are taking good decisions. They are not scared to take different coaches when they make changes. I've been very impressed.

"I have studied hard on my English, which is good now and all my family speak perfect English.

"I think the Premier League is the best league in the world and I am interested in working there, why not? But French is my language and my Spanish and my Catalan are good, so I'm open to many things."