Ahead of the important two weeks of the summer transfer window, Barcelona is in the middle of a massive shake-up in the football department. The current sporting director Mateu Alemany will leave Barcelona at the end of the window. Deco has been officially unveiled as the new director of football.
There is no specific reason behind the departure of Alemany but some media in Barcelona reported that Deco will have maximum authority in the sporting department, severely diminishing Alemany’s role. Joan Laporta had earlier decided to appoint Deco as his replacement, and it was also agreed that both the current and former would work together.
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The ex-Barcelona midfielder had reportedly been working in his current role for the last three months and now, he has taken the job officially. He will be the new Barcelona Sporting Director for three years.
Barcelona’s official statement reads, “This incorporation is in line with the statement released on 2 May in which the President and the director of the Football Area, Mateu Alemany, agreed his release from his duties once the current transfer window comes to an end on 2 September.”
As per Barcelona’s official update, Deco and Mateu Alemany will continue to work together until the closing of the transfer window. The Club will also release details of Barcelona’s sporting structure.
Alemany was likely to have agreed to a deal with Aston Villa three months ago but he made a U-turn on his decision to stay with Barca.
Deco is a former Barcelona player who represented Barca between 2004 and 2008. The Portuguese international made 161 appearances at Camp Nou, scoring 20 goals and providing 45 assists. He was one of the top midfielders in world football. He was part of Barcelona’s 2006 Champions League victory over Arsenal. He also has two league titles and three Spanish Super Cup titles. He left the club in 2008 and after 15 years, he is back to take the new role for Barcelona.
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