Sandro Rosell appears poised to replace Joan Laporta as the new president of Barcelona.
Polls indicate former vice-president will replace Laporta
Sandro Rosell appears poised to replace Joan Laporta as the new president of Barcelona, according to polls which suggest he has won 62 per cent of the vote.
According to local television and radio stations, former club vice-president Rosell is understood to have secured more votes than the remaining candidates combined.
Agusti Benedito, Marc Ingla and Jaume Ferrer were also in the running to succeed Laporta, with more than 53,000 socios voting on Sunday - the highest ever turn-out for Barcelona's presidential elections.
Rosell, if confirmed, will take over from former colleague Laporta, who led Barca to 12 trophies in his seven-year tenure, but fell out with Rosell in 2005, when the former vice-president tendered his resignation.
The outgoing president had favoured Ferrer as his successor, but was criticised for making that choice public.
In response, he said: "I think I should be allowed to give my opinion as president on who should be the new president."
He added: "I have positioned myself in favour of the candidacy that I believe will be the best option to safeguard the future of the club."
Rowing in same direction
Rosell, though, wants to put his differences with Laporta and the other candidates aside after the elections.
"From tomorrow we all have to row in the same direction," he said upon casting his vote.
Laporta took over as president from Joan Gaspart in 2003, but failed to fulfil his election pledge of bringing David Beckham to Camp Nou.
That deal failed to materialise as the former England captain opted to join Real Madrid, but Laporta's decision to sign Ronaldinho proved an ever better move as Barcelona, following a trophyless first season, went on to win two league titles and a Champions League crown under coach Frank Rijkaard, also appointed by Laporta.
The Barca president survived a confidence vote after two years without a trophy as Rijkaard lost control of the dressing room and Ronaldinho lost his shape.
But success on the field returned under Pep Guardiola, who has led the club to seven trophies in two seasons, including all six on offer in 2009.
Laporta has been accused of mixing the club with his own political agenda as well as using the Barca brand for his own personal gain. But the president says he will leave with his conscience clear.
"I am happy - I leave with the sensation of having accomplished my mission," he said after casting his vote on Sunday.
