The race for the presidency of FC Barcelona has begun, and sporting director Deco’s name is firmly in the spotlight.
One of the pre-candidates, Victor Font, made it very clear a few days ago that if he becomes the club’s next president, the former midfielder will not continue as sporting director.
It must be remembered that not long ago, the two were involved in a legal dispute following comments made by Font over Barcelona’s signing of Vitor Roque.
Deco responds
Now, in an exclusive interview with SPORT, Deco has responded to the comments made by Font, stating that he became the director because he trusted in Joan Laporta’s project and if someone else becomes president, he would assess his options.
“I don’t want to get into evaluating these things. I came here because I believed in Jan’s project, which was about rebuilding, and I’m staying because I believe in Jan’s [Laporta’s] project, which is now about consolidation.
“If Jan isn’t here, things will surely change, and therefore I won’t stay. It’s not about Victor Font or anyone else. It’s about what I believe in and my personal life. If there’s something that doesn’t fit in with my personal life, I’ll leave, and that’s that.”
Continuing, Deco added: “I have the freedom to choose. I’m not a prisoner to this. I came here for an idea, because I’m from Barça and I wanted to help. I believed I could contribute to Laporta’s project.”
On working with Laporta
Deco also explained what it is like to work with Laporta, who had already signed him as a player during his first spell in charge and as sporting director in this second term.
“I have freedom because I have earned the trust to build a winning Barça. Sporting decisions are difficult; it’s complicated to balance sporting management with a coach because it’s rare for a coach to stay for more than five years,” he said.
“I think we’ve been able to rebuild the squad, and that builds trust with your boss. I have freedom, but I don’t do anything without the president’s knowledge. Out of respect, and because I know he has a different vision to mine.”
“Some decisions have to be made by the club,” Deco further added.
Concluding, Deco stated that he believed that Laporta should always be listened to, because he considers him a president with a deep understanding of football who has always been surrounded by the very best.
“A president who has been with Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi, Messi, Iniesta, who has won what he has won, who was there for ten years and now five more, who is a football fanatic, who has had Johan as an advisor, knows something about football,” he said.
“From here on, we have to listen because he knows a lot about football, like Pinto Da Costa. Then decisions are made by consensus.
“The president isn’t involved in day-to-day operations, but we have to respect his opinion, and if he’s wrong, we have to convince him with compelling arguments,” Deco concluded.
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