Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, has expressed support for Deco to continue as the club’s sporting director as impending presidential elections are set for March.
Victor Font, a candidate for the presidency who previously lost to current president Joan Laporta in 2021, stated this week that he plans to replace Deco if elected.
In response, Flick endorsed the former Portugal international, praising his contributions since his appointment in 2023.
“I’m pleased with the situation regarding Deco,” Flick remarked at a press conference before Saturday’s LaLiga match against Mallorca.
“We share a mutual trust and confidence in one another. We’re aligned in our search for players and our overall philosophy. Deco allows us the freedom to work, which is crucial.” Flick added, “I’ve never experienced this calm before, and I truly value it.”
Barcelona announced that the election for a new club president will take place on March 15.
In addition to Laporta, candidates such as Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubí have declared their intention to run.
As the elections approach, candidates are expected to unveil their plans for the club, which could detail potential signings, structural changes, or proposals to reintroduce Lionel Messi in some role.
Font indicated this week that, should he be elected, he intends to replace Deco, although he did not specify a replacement as they are “under contract” elsewhere.
Having previously worked as an agent, Deco has been Barça’s sporting director for more than two years, playing a key role in assembling the squad that claimed LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa last season.
This season, Barcelona aims to replicate their success. They have already secured the Supercopa, lead LaLiga, and were recently drawn against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
The semifinal tie will consist of two legs, with Barça set to visit Madrid for the first match next week and host the return leg at Spotify Camp Nou in early March.
The other semifinal will feature a Basque derby between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad.
Furthermore, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has confirmed that the final will take place in Sevilla at La Cartuja on the weekend of April 18.