Cape Town - Former Barcelona defender and club legend, Carlos Puyol, announced that he has quit as assistant Director of Football at the Catalan giants.
On Monday, Barcelona fired sports director Andoni Zubizarreta, following a tumultuous week for the club amidst rumours of a disgruntled Lionel Messi, a loss to David Moyes' Real Sociedad and the confirmation of the club's one year transfer ban.
Barcelona have yet to announce who will fill that role but Puyol will not be considered after his resignation, which he announced via social media site Facebook.
Puyol released the following statement: "These three and a half months have given me a chance to see the other side of the club."
"I have learned a lot, I am very grateful and now I would like to try other things from other vantage points and places.
"I would like to grow on both the personal and professional levels so that in the future I can return to this home and give back all the was given to me during all these unforgettable years.
"I am enormously grateful to all the employees, the management, the president and the leadership for trusting me and helping me during this transition that has not been easy.
"And to the fans, with whom I felt very close as a player and even closer to since my retirement, I am also grateful.
"I would like to have said goodbye in action but life doesn't always go as planned. I have been very fortunate to feel so loved and that's why I am only saying THANK YOU. Please know that you will always be in my heart."