Barcelona Have SACKED Eric Abidal As Sporting Director Of The Club.

Barcelona have relieved former club defender Eric Abidal of his job as sporting director, as the club begins an extensive restructuring of the first team.

Abidal who played for Barcelona from 2007 to 2013, during which time he suffered health issues and underwent a liver transplant was only appointed the role of the club sporting director in June 2018.

He was responsible for the makeup of the first-team squad and has also played a role in the hiring and firing of coaches.

Barcelona ended their poor season following an eembarrassing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals last Friday, which saw them end the season trophyless for the first time since 2007-08 season.

The club made the official announcement in a statement on Tuesday, just a day after sacking manager Quique Setien.

"The FC Barcelona and Eric Abidal have reached an agreement for the termination of the contract binding both parties... Reads a statement released at the club's website.

The club also wished him luck and success in the future, as they "publicly thanked him for his professionalism, commitment, dedication and the close and positive nature of his relationship with all aspects of the Blaugrana family."

CloudNine Sports had reported in February, that the 40-year-old former France international was involved in a conflict with Barcelona star man Lionel Messi shortly after the sack of former manager Ernesto Valverde.

Abidal had blamed the squad players for having a hand in the sack of Valverde, which made club captain Messi hit back through a post on social media, asking Abidal to name names and to take on some responsibility for his own decisions.

Meanwhile, Spanish media has claimed that Barcelona has agreed a deal, and are expected to announce current Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman as their new manager to succeed Setien at the Camp Nou in the coming days.

Setien who was sacked on Monday, oversaw 16 wins, four draws and five defeats from his 25 games in charge.

Abidal made 193 appearances, scoring two goals during his six-year stay as a player for Barcelona, and won four La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey, three Supercopa de Espana, two Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups with the team.