Argentine football giant Boca Juniors continues in turmoil. The club announced on Wednesday the departure of Mauricio Serna and Raúl Cascini, two key figures on the board of directors. The news comes amid tensions in the Xeneize’s structure, after the club hit its worst-ever run of form in its 120-year history, going winless in the last 11 matches.

The club put up a short statement on X, confirming Serna and Cascini were no longer part of the club’s Football Committee, the advisory board put together by president Juan Román Riquelme to run the professional football affairs.

“We thank both of them for their commitment and sustained work over the years,” read the communiqué. Among the “significant sporting and institutional successes” achieved, it mentioned the six official titles and the 2023 Copa Libertadores final appearance.

The statement also highlighted the “promotion of numerous players from the youth divisions” during their stint, with the likes of Valentín Barco, Cristian Medina, Exequiel Zeballos, and Alan Varela making their debut during their tenure.

Serna and Cascini are both Boca legends. As players, they won a plethora of Argentine and international titles, including Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup titles in 2000 for Serna, a feat Cascini repeated in 2003.

Turbulent times in La Boca

Serna and Cascini’s departure sees the era of the Boca Football Committee come to an end. Its sole remaining member, former striker Marcelo Delgado, is set to carry on working with someone soon to be appointed as director of football. 

The move hasn’t come without its critics. Another former Xeneize player and Copa Libertadores winner, Rolando Schavi, took aim against Riquelme, saying that the move is a facade meant to isolate the president from any criticism.

“Regardless of talks of a [director of football], it’ll all be the same, because [Riquelme] will still call the shots; he takes all the decisions,” said Schiavi in an interview with ESPN. “[Serna and Cascini] had no say; [Delgado] was his right-hand man. He’s the one who talks to the players and the one they trust.”

Boca’s next game is set to come on Saturday, August 9, at La Bombonera, when they look to break the winless spell hosting Copa Sudamericana reigning champions Racing Club de Avellaneda at 4:30 p.m. local time.