FC Barcelona Sack Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta Monday Jan 05,2015

FC Barcelona have sacked sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, while club legend Carles Puyol has also left his position at the Spanish giants

The swift action follows the team’s defeat in the first game of the new year against David Moyes's Real Sociedad, although is also a direct consequence of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to uphold FIFA’s one-year transfer ban on the club for illegal signing of under-age players.

A Barcelona statement on the sacking of Zubizarreta read: 'The Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has decided to terminate as of today the contract of the club's director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta.

'The president, in the name of the club, thanks Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution, dedication and professionalism over the last four years in his role at the head of the club's football area.'  

ANDONI ZUBIZARRETA FACTFILE 

Born on October 23, 1961 in Vitoria, Spain

Joins Athletic Bilbao from Alaves in 1981 

Make Spain debut in January 1985 

Joins Barcelona in 1986 having made 239 appearances for Bilbao

Joins Valencia in 1994 having made 410 appearances for Barcelona

Retires in 1998 having made 126 appearances for Spain and a total of 833 club appearances for Bilbao, Barcelona and Valencia 

Honours:

La Liga (6): 1983, 1984, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

Copa del Rey (3): 1984, 1988, 1990

European Cup: 1992

Cup Winners' Cup: 1989

UEFA Super Cup: 1992

Spanish Super Cup: 1984, 1991, 1992 

Post-retirement: 

Athletic Bilbao sporting director (2000-2010)

Barcelona sporting director (July 2010-14)

Carles Puyol was operating as Zubizarreta's assistant, but announced he had terminated his working contract at the club in the wake of Zubizarreta's sacking on Monday Jan 05,2015

FC Barcelona will now discuss the future of coach Luis Enrique at an emergency board meeting on Wednesday Jan 07,2015