Anderson Luis de Souza, better known by the nickname Deco, is poised to formalize his role as the sporting director of FC Barcelona in the coming hours. The appointment had been anticipated, and on this day the 45-year-old former Portuguese midfielder, who has long been acting as a de facto adviser at the club, is set to assume full control of the club’s football operations from the offices themselves. He will fill the gap left by Jordi Cruyff and, in effect, supersede Mateu Alemany, a figure who has often been described as a key strategist for president Joan Laporta. The club faces a moment of high uncertainty, with decisions looming about Deco’s future at Barça and whether he will be able to steer the sporting project to a new trajectory.
The delay in finalizing the appointment stemmed from the need to resolve a potential conflict of interest related to Deco’s previous role at D20Sports, the agency representing players including Brazil’s Raphinha. The aim was to ensure a clean separation before Deco joined the Barcelona payroll, a matter that was discussed several weeks prior but had not yet been completed. As of today, the formal agreement appears imminent.
decisive meeting
A pivotal meeting took place at the Arístides Maillol complex, bringing together Joan Laporta, Deco, Alemany, and Alejandro Echevarria, along with vice presidents Rafael Yuste and Eduard Romeu. The gathering, scheduled fifteen days after the close of the summer transfer window, focused on reorganizing Barcelona’s sports structure and finalizing remaining transfer plans. This gathering underscored a shared urgency to align the club’s leadership with its long-term vision, ensuring the sporting department had a coordinated strategy moving forward.
Deco’s ascent signals a consolidation of authority within the football operations at Barcelona. Alemany’s position has come under scrutiny, with some supporters and observers suggesting that the new setup could constrain his traditional influence. Deco’s voice is expected to shape critical decisions, from player recruitment to contract negotiations, even as the arrangement remains dynamic and subject to ongoing negotiations with other influential voices within the club. This fluid situation also involves Echevarria, who is known for managing delicate balances within Laporta’s circle and could tilt influence away from Alemany if required.