Josep Lluís Nuñez
Encyclopedia
Josep Lluís Núñez i Clemente (born on 7 September 1931 in Barakaldo
, Spain
) was president of FC Barcelona
between 1978 and 2000. Núñez also owns the Núñez i Navarro construction company (Navarro being his wife) and Núñez i Navarro Hotels
chain. He was elected club president on 1 July 1978 despite having no previous connection with the club. His main objectives were to establish Barça as a world class sports club
and to give the club financial stability.
, 36 in basketball
, 65 in handball
and 45 in roller hockey
. This included a remarkable quartet in 1999, the club’s centenary year, when the four teams were all crowned champions of Spain
. FC Barcelona
were also European football champions
in 1992.
During his presidency, FC Barcelona
membership increased from 77,905 to 106,000, leading to the increase in the capacity of the Camp Nou
stadium. The number of penyes (fan clubs) also increased from 96 based in Spain
to over 1,300 based throughout the world. Núñez gave the club a solid economical base and increased the club's wealth. The club built the Mini Estadi
in 1982, opened the FC Barcelona Museum
in 1984, expanded the Palau Blaugrana
to a capacity of 8,500, bought los terrenos de la futura Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper
and opened the La Masia
, a residence for young players.
survived). Afterward, he hired Johan Cruyff
as coach, and the club saw the golden era of the Dream Team, which won the club's first European Cup
in 1992. In 1989, he won the re-election against rival Sixte Cambra, and was again re-elected without opposition in 1993. The next year, he started the F.C. Barcelona Foundation, to prevent the conversion of the club to a private-owned sporting society, per the new Spanish law.
Disagreements with Cruyff forced the coach's dismissal, and since then Nuñez had to face the open opposition led by the former coach. In 1997, he was reelected for the last time, winning against rival Àngel Fernández. Months later, he survived a vote of no-confidence instigated by opponent platform "L'Elefant Blau", one of whose leaders, Joan Laporta
, would become the club's president several years later.
He hired first Bobby Robson
and then Louis van Gaal
as coaches. But the lack of titles in van Gaal's third year and his lack of understanding with the fans forced his dismissal, and that of Nuñez himself, tired of being pressured. In 2000 he resigned after 22 years as club president.
, Hristo Stoichkov
and Luís Figo
.
Barakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) was president of FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
between 1978 and 2000. Núñez also owns the Núñez i Navarro construction company (Navarro being his wife) and Núñez i Navarro Hotels
Núñez i Navarro Hotels
Núñez i Navarro Hotels, also known as nnhotels, is a Spanish-based hotel chain with nine properties in Barcelona.Most of them rank on Top 20 in Barcelona by Tripadvisor.com users.The company is part of Grup Núñez i Navarro.- Properties :...
chain. He was elected club president on 1 July 1978 despite having no previous connection with the club. His main objectives were to establish Barça as a world class sports club
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
and to give the club financial stability.
Presidency
Núñez oversaw one of the club's most successful eras and has been Barça’s most successful president in terms of winning trophies. During his presidency, the club’s four professional teams amassed 176 trophies – 30 in footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, 36 in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, 65 in handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
and 45 in roller hockey
Roller hockey
Roller Hockey is a form of hockey played on a dry surface using skates with wheels. The term "Roller Hockey" is often used interchangeably to refer to two variant forms chiefly differentiated by the type of skate used. There is traditional "Roller Hockey," played with quad roller skates, and...
. This included a remarkable quartet in 1999, the club’s centenary year, when the four teams were all crowned champions of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
were also European football champions
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 1992.
During his presidency, FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
membership increased from 77,905 to 106,000, leading to the increase in the capacity of the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
stadium. The number of penyes (fan clubs) also increased from 96 based in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
to over 1,300 based throughout the world. Núñez gave the club a solid economical base and increased the club's wealth. The club built the Mini Estadi
Mini Estadi
Mini Estadi is a football stadium located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The 15,276 seat stadium is situated across from Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona.The stadium was home to FC Barcelona C until July 2007, when they disbanded...
in 1982, opened the FC Barcelona Museum
FC Barcelona Museum
The FC Barcelona museum was inaugurated on 24 September 1984 under the presidency of Josep Lluís Nuñez. In 2000 the museum was renamed President Nuñez museum under the presidency of his successor, Joan Gaspart...
in 1984, expanded the Palau Blaugrana
Palau Blaugrana
Palau Blaugrana is an arena in Barcelona, Catalonia , belonging to FC Barcelona . The 7,585 seating capacity arena is home to the basketball, handball, roller hockey, and futsal divisions of FC Barcelona...
to a capacity of 8,500, bought los terrenos de la futura Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper
Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper
The Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper is the training ground and academy base of Catalan football club, FC Barcelona, it was officially opened on June 1, 2006, and was named in honor of Joan Gamper, founder of the club....
and opened the La Masia
FC Barcelona B
Futbol Club Barcelona B is a Spanish football team. They are the reserve team of FC Barcelona. Reserve teams in the Spanish football league system play in the same football pyramid as their senior team rather than a separate league. However reserve teams cannot play in the same division as their...
, a residence for young players.
Hesperia Mutiny
Nuñez was re-elected twice without opposition, but in 1988 he had to face the players rebellion known as the Hesperia Mutiny (named after the hotel where the players reunited), which ended with the dismissal of almost all the team (only goalkeeper Andoni ZubizarretaAndoni Zubizarreta
Andoni Zubizarreta Urreta is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.The all-time most capped player for the Spanish national team for several years, he played with individual and team success for Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona , appearing in more than 950...
survived). Afterward, he hired Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON , known as Johan Cruyff, is a retired Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team as well as a member of the AFC Ajax board of directors. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with...
as coach, and the club saw the golden era of the Dream Team, which won the club's first European Cup
1992 European Cup Final
The 1992 European Cup Final was a football match held on 20 May 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London, between FC Barcelona of Spain and U.C. Sampdoria of Italy. Barcelona won the game 1–0, thanks to a Ronald Koeman free-kick, to record their first triumph in the competition. This was the last tournament...
in 1992. In 1989, he won the re-election against rival Sixte Cambra, and was again re-elected without opposition in 1993. The next year, he started the F.C. Barcelona Foundation, to prevent the conversion of the club to a private-owned sporting society, per the new Spanish law.
Disagreements with Cruyff forced the coach's dismissal, and since then Nuñez had to face the open opposition led by the former coach. In 1997, he was reelected for the last time, winning against rival Àngel Fernández. Months later, he survived a vote of no-confidence instigated by opponent platform "L'Elefant Blau", one of whose leaders, Joan Laporta
Joan Laporta
Joan Laporta i Estruch is a Spanish politician and former president of Futbol Club Barcelona between 2003 and 2010.Laporta is a lawyer with his own firm, Laporta & Arbós, which has important firms as clients. Laporta was married to Constanza Echevarría and has three sons, Pol, Guillem and Jan...
, would become the club's president several years later.
He hired first Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
and then Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal
Aloysius Paulus Maria "Louis" van Gaal OON is a Dutch football manager formerly in charge of Ajax, Netherlands, Barcelona, AZ and Bayern Munich...
as coaches. But the lack of titles in van Gaal's third year and his lack of understanding with the fans forced his dismissal, and that of Nuñez himself, tired of being pressured. In 2000 he resigned after 22 years as club president.
Criticism
Despite his achievements, Nuñez was not always popular. His refusal to pay high wages gained him many critics and saw the departure of players like Maradona, Ronaldo, Bernd SchusterBernd Schuster
Bernhard Schuster is a German football manager and former player, currently unemployed. His nickname is "der Blonde Engel" .-Club career:...
, Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
and Luís Figo
Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
.
Trophies won by club during presidency
- La LigaLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
(7):- 1984-85La Liga 1984-85La Liga 1984–85 season, the 54th since its establishment, started on September 1, 1984 and finished on April 21, 1985. It was composed of the following clubs:-Final table:-Results table:...
, 1990-91La Liga 1990-91La Liga 1990-91 season, the 60th since its establishment, started on September 1, 1990 and finished on June 9, 1991. It was composed of the following clubs:-Final table:-Relegation playoff:-Results table:...
, 1991-92La Liga 1991-92La Liga 1991-92 season, the 61st since its establishment, started on August 31, 1991 and finished on June 7, 1992. It was composed of the following clubs:-Final table:-Relegation playoff:-Results table:...
, 1992-93La Liga 1992-93La Liga 1992-93 season, the 62nd since its establishment, started on September 5, 1992, and finished on June 20, 1993. It was composed of the following clubs:-Clubs and locations:* Albacete* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Cádiz CF...
, 1993-94La Liga 1993-94La Liga 1993-94 season, the 63rd since its establishment, started on September 4, 1993 and finished on May 15, 1994. It was composed of the following clubs:-League table:Excluded From The 1994-95 UEFA Champions League...
, 1997-98La Liga 1997-981997-98 season was composed of the following clubs:* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Celta de Vigo* SD Compostela* Deportivo de La Coruña* RCD Espanyol* RCD Mallorca* CP Mérida* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Oviedo...
, 1998-99La Liga 1998-991998-99 season was composed of the following clubs:* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alavés* Deportivo de La Coruña* RCD Espanyol* CF Extremadura* RCD Mallorca* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid...
- 1984-85
- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
(6):- 1980-81, 1982-83, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1996-971996–97 Copa del Rey-External links:*...
, 1997-981997–98 Copa del ReyThe Copa del Rey 1997–98 is the 94th staging of the Copa del Rey.The competition started on September 3, 1997 and concluded on April 29, 1998 with the Final, held at the Estadio Mestalla in Valencia.-1st Round:...
- 1980-81, 1982-83, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1996-97
- Copa de la LigaCopa de la LigaThe Copa de la Liga was a Spanish football tournament created in 1982.Due to time constraints, saturation and club pressure, the competition only lasted four years, being cancelled in 1986...
(2):- 1983, 1986
- Supercopa de EspañaSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
(5):- 1983, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1):- 1991–92
- UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
(4):- 1978–79, 1981–82, 1988–89, 1996–97
- UEFA Super Cup (2):
- 1992, 19971997 UEFA Super CupThe 1997 UEFA Super Cup was a football match played on 8 January 1998 and 11 March 1998 between Borussia Dortmund of Germany, winner of the 1996-97 UEFA Champions League and Barcelona of Spain, winner of the 1996-97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup...
- 1992, 1997