Deco casts doubt on long-term Barcelona future
Barcelona sporting director Deco has cast doubt on his long-term future at the club, admitting his future beyond the summer is not guaranteed. In an interview with GE.com, as reported by Sport, the former midfielder suggested his continuity at the Catalan club may not be assured. The 46-year-old, who has been in the role since 2024, acknowledged the inherent uncertainty in his position, stating his work will determine his future at the Camp Nou.
Deco, who has the support of head coach Hansi Flick and re-elected president Joan Laporta, was speaking ahead of a pivotal summer transfer window. He is tasked with a significant squad rebuild, with the club targeting a new central defender, a striker, and potential replacements for loanees Joao Cancelo and Marcus Rashford.
Despite the pressure, Deco expressed satisfaction with the club's trajectory. He highlighted the team's progress, stating that the squad has been rebuilt to compete with the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, despite the financial might of other European clubs. He pointed to the development of young players and a more competitive squad as signs of progress under his and Flick's leadership.
However, Deco was notably non-committal about his long-term future. He acknowledged the recent period of uncertainty during the club's presidential elections, which saw Laporta re-elected. While Laporta now has a fresh five-year mandate, Deco did not confirm he would stay for the duration. He cited personal and family considerations as factors that could influence his future, stating, "It's very difficult to make long-term plans... I don't know if I'll stay with Laporta for five years because I need to work well every year for things to continue."
The sporting director also emphasized the need for continued success, implying his position is reviewed on a yearly basis. His comments suggest that while he is focused on the crucial summer transfer window, his long-term partnership with Laporta is not a foregone conclusion. Deco's future, much like the club's transfer strategy, appears to be an ongoing discussion.
