Former Barcelona midfielder Deco will be named the club’s new Director of Football at the end of the season.
As first reported by the Spanish journalist Roger Saperas, Deco will replace Mateu Alemany who will be leaving the club for a similar position at Aston Villa at the end of May.
‼️ NOTÍCIA @EsportsRAC1 🎙️ @RogerSaperas
📌 Deco, és el candidat més ben situat a ocupar el lloc que deixarà Mateu Alemany
📌 El portuguès és el representant de Raphinha i responsable del mercat brasiler del Barça pic.twitter.com/9woK16OG0T
— El Barça juga a RAC1 (@FCBRAC1) May 3, 2023
The creative midfielder played for Barcelona between 2004 and 2008, scoring 20 goals in 161 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants. Since retirement in 2013, Deco set up a sports agency registered in Ireland with famous clients including Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and Barcelona winger Raphinha, with the Portuguese being responsible for the Brazilian moving to the Nou Camp from Leeds last summer.
During his four-year spell at the club, Deco won two La Liga titles and one Champions League under then-manager Frank Rijkaard.