Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists Andoni Zubizarreta's sacking was "because his cycle was over".

Bartomeu denies it was a decision influenced by criticism leveled at him by Zubi last week.

"It had nothing to do with that, but those words went against what I felt. I always had full confidence in him.

"We have worked closely with him over the years, but the cycles are finished and another begins now."