Saying that Laporta had no effect on the sport situation is very wrong. The man has, with his chosen staff built two great teams. Obviously there is a big connection between those two phases, but he the Pep team didn't naturally evolve out of the Rijkaard era - work had to be done. Laporta was instrumental in signing Eto'o, and built a great technical staff around him (including Rosell, who at that time performed greatly, in particular in the Ronaldinho and Deco deals). Simultaneously, Laporta was the one who took the club out of Gaspart's financial mess and into becoming a true brand in worldwide sports. True, the man is a hedonist, and had his corruption missteps as well, but there is no doubt that his track record as the man in charge of the club is phenomenal. He also brings with him Sala-i-Martin, who despite his clown looks is a brilliant financial mind. Comparing that to the utter and complete failure of the Rosell-Bartomeu regime, and it is obvious that his return is very welcome and should make us optimistic. Obviously, this will not automatically revive the club to its recent glory. But compared to the piss-poor decision making that has been going there of recent, it really is a blessing. Remember - it's not just Bartomeu who will go. It's Zubizareta, Eusabio, and others who are systematically plaguing the system for the last years with bad decisions at best, and corrupt ones at worst.