FC Barcelona has announced a significant shakeup in its leadership structure, with Mateu Alemany, the director of football, stepping down from his position. This development was confirmed through an official statement by the club, accompanied by reports from Mundo Deportivo. In a surprising twist, former Barca player Deco is set to take on the role of sporting director for the next three years.

The news was disseminated to the press through an email sent out around 2:30 PM on a Wednesday afternoon in Catalonia. The club outlined Deco’s responsibilities in his new capacity, stating that he would be responsible for shaping FC Barcelona’s sporting philosophy. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

This entails collaborating closely with the coach and the technical staff to curate the team’s roster. Furthermore, Deco will hold the pivotal position of overseeing the football section of the club.

Interestingly, this appointment aligns with a previous statement made on May 2, wherein the President and Director of the Football Area, Mateu Alemany, agreed that he would be stepping down from his role after the conclusion of the current transfer market on September 2. 

According to this timeline, Deco and Alemany will work together during the transitional phase until the summer transfer market closes. The club has promised to unveil more specifics about the revised sports structure of FC Barcelona in the upcoming weeks.

Alemany’s departure from the club is being felt deeply by both the organization and its fanbase. The timing of his exit raises questions, especially after the confusion that arose in May when it seemed he might be making a move to the Premier League’s Aston Villa. 

To many Culers, Alemany is credited with skillfully navigating FC Barcelona through a challenging financial crisis, successfully steering the team to reclaim the La Liga championship in the previous season. His adept management of player sales, contract terminations, and strategic incoming transfers played a pivotal role in the club’s resurgence.

The future of FC Barcelona now rests on the capable shoulders of Deco, a former first-team player who left his mark from 2004 to 2008. As the new sporting director, he assumes the responsibility of continuing the club’s upward trajectory and maintaining its competitive edge. The task ahead is significant, but Deco’s experience both on and off the field equips him to embrace this challenge and guide FC Barcelona toward further success. Get the latest updates from the La Liga only on Nextbet Sports.