Deco, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, ??was one of the protagonists of the post-match against Granada for statements to the Portuguese magazine Nascer do Sol where he supposedly claimed that a change of model was necessary. “The new direction is essential and the president agrees with me on this. A profound change is needed. There is a method that is exhausted. We have to discover someone who breaks with the past once and for all and moves towards a new paradigm,” Deco said according to the transcript that journalist Afonso de Melo reflected in his interview. Xavi was even asked about the matter: “It’s not what he tells me. I can’t say anything else. I don’t know,” the coach responded, somewhat surprised.
Immediately from the Montjuïc offices, club sources pointed out that the sports director’s words had been distorted. Finally, the journalist himself, Alfonso de Melo, apologized and wanted to clarify the misunderstanding with a note published at the end of the interview: “It is not Deco’s decision or will to change method or paradigm, but it was Xavi who pointed out that path with his departure. The poor explanation of the text does not imply Deco’s position nor does it point to his will. That the note is understood as Deco intends and that is not his position. The misinterpretation of the phrase is the fault of the author and not of the words of Barcelona’s sporting director, who is in total agreement with the president on this issue. For our part, we can only accept the bad writing, obviously apologizing to Deco, who has nothing to do with it,” the journalist noted. This statement clarifying the matter convinced the sports director that he finally ruled out making a statement to the club’s official media that was scheduled for this Monday after the first team’s training session.
Barcelona’s performance on the pitch was not so convincing. The draw against Granada, penultimate in the League, greatly angered president Joan Laporta, who carefully watched the team’s performance from the Montjuïc box. The tension has increased. The Blaugrana have lost the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey and have practically said goodbye to the League in just a month. According to Catalunya Ràdio, the president would have made trays of canapés fly in the antebox, caused by the poor play of his team and the final result. In total there are 11 points that Barcelona have lost at home, the sixth time they have conceded more than two goals in a devastating record: 50 goals conceded in 35 games.
After Xavi’s decision to abandon ship on June 30, the sports management team led by Deco is already outlining what the new coach should be like. The company will not be easy. “We have a serious financial problem on our hands and that was one of the reasons why they hired me. We do not have money for the investments that other millionaire clubs make and that discourages any coach. At this moment we cannot provide these means,” he warned. Deco in the interview with Nascer do Sol. Regarding the reinforcement policy, the sports director also explained the difficulties that the club will have to face this summer to reinforce the squad. “We are about to go through a difficult phase in many areas, we do not have money to go to the market to look for reinforcements who already have a name, we have to bet on people like the promising Vitor Roque,” ??he stated.