The anticipation was palpable among journalists gathered in the press room at Ciutat Esportiva for Deco’s unveiling as Barcelona’s new Director of Football. Until now, members of the sports department shared the stage with President Joan Laporta during press conferences. The sight of the Portuguese maestro standing alone, delivering a composed speech and then addressing journalists’ queries, perfectly encapsulates the new scenario: Deco arrives with full authority and a significant goal – to continue building a competitive Barcelona, not just domestically but in Europe too, in close collaboration with Xavi.
According to SPORT, during his opening speech, Deco emphasized two aspects: his post-retirement training and the challenge of leaving his life in Brazil behind. He revealed, “Few know that I have been working with players and clubs for 10 years… I had the opportunity to work with Porto and Fluminense… Returning here has not been easy. I’m leaving behind some of my children, but I made the decision. Being here is a responsibility, but there’s also immense excitement.”
Deco, with a poised and measured demeanor that shouldn’t be mistaken for shyness or uncertainty, addressed all the topics he was questioned about, consistently praising Xavi whenever possible.
Deco, who also praised Mateu Alemany, stressed that “the sporting structure on paper is beautiful, but what matters is daily work.” He subtly suggested that what has hindered the club in recent years is the management of the transition from a generation that became the world’s best team. He noted, “Transitions are always difficult, but if you don’t manage them well, it takes much longer to win again. Perhaps some transitions in recent years haven’t been handled as well as they could have been.”
A Winning Mentality
As a player, Deco was a blend of quality and a winning character. He carried these same characteristics into his football philosophy. While playing well is important, winning is paramount. “The philosophy is to win and play well. The philosophy is to win,” he reiterated, emphasizing that progress is meaningless without results to back it up.
Before delving into specifics, Deco aligned himself with Xavi regarding their cautious stance on the Champions League. He stated, “There is no obligation; the contract doesn’t say we must win the Champions League. We are on the right path, and the dream is to conquer it again, but we have to provide Xavi with the tools. We are aiming for titles, of course.”
Asked about Vitor Roque’s situation, Deco refrained from speculating whether the Brazilian forward would join in January or at the end of the season, saying, “One of the conditions set by Atlético Paranaense was that he could only come from January onwards. So, we’ll have to assess what we do.” This is a signing he feels a strong connection to, as his effective negotiations secured the young striker despite the economic challenges facing Barcelona.
Not even the most uncomfortable question rattled Deco. When asked about Raphinha’s contract, a player he used to represent, Deco explained that he had resolved any potential conflicts of interest with the club. He stated, “There is something in the club called Compliance, which doesn’t allow for two different contracts. What I had with the club in the past has already been settled, and there’s no issue.”
“We Know What We Want to Achieve”
Discussing less high-profile yet intriguing signings like Noah Darvich and Mika Faye, Deco emphasized the importance of staying ahead of Premier League giants in the transfer market. He noted, “We know the market is aggressive with transfers involving absurd amounts,” before praising the scouting department. “We don’t wake up one day and sign players. There’s a scouting department that knows our shortcomings. There’s a clear idea of what we want to achieve.”
Finally, Deco was asked about Leo Messi and his failed return to Barcelona. He said, “We all wanted to have Leo, but it wasn’t possible due to well-known reasons. He’s the best player in the club’s history. I see him happy and enjoying himself at Inter Miami. As a Barcelona fan and a fan of Leo, I wish him the best.”
In tennis terms, Deco’s debut was free of unforced errors. From now on, actions will speak louder than words. The adrenaline that the Portuguese maestro admits to feeling must be the driving force to return Barcelona to the summit.
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