Wed Jan 29 20:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Appoints Handball Legend Xavier O’Callaghan as New Director of Professional Sports
**Barcelona, Spain** – FC Barcelona has announced the appointment of Xavier O’Callaghan as its new Director of Professional Sports. The position, vacant since June 2024 following the resignation of Xavi Budó, oversees all professional sports sections at the club except the men’s football team. This includes the women’s football team (recent Supercopa de España winners), basketball, handball, and futsal.
O’Callaghan, a club legend, played handball for Barcelona for over 15 seasons, a period described as one of the most successful in the club’s history. His number 4 jersey is retired at the Palau Blaugrana. Since 2021, he has served as the management manager for the handball, futsal, and roller hockey sections, and prior to that, he headed the club’s New York office.
The appointment comes as a surprise to many fans, with the club having operated without a Director of Professional Sports for seven months. Despite the vacancy, the various sections of the club have continued to perform well.
In other news, the club also announced the resignation of Juli Guiu as director responsible for Commercial and Marketing Departments and as a council member of Barça Studios and BLM. The club thanked Guiu for his years of service and commitment.
First Piper 