The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, on Deco – “I was afraid for his health, that's the reason we have Hansi Flick”
The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, gave his full support to the Director Sporting Deco, less than 48 hours after the club. released a statement denying that there was doubt about its continuity. It was reported that Deco he was reconsidering his position due to the lack of resources available in the summer transfer window.
Laporta, during a long press conference to assess the state of the club's finances and its actions in the transfer market, credited Deco with signing manager Hansi Flick.
“I want to say that we are very happy with the coach we have. Masia has an impact on the first team, he is the backbone of our sporting project. We are very satisfied with the work of Deco. Thanks to him we have Flick. He done a great job to renew the contracts of the young players. The good understanding that Deco and Alexanko made this possible.
“Another of Deco's merits is the preparation of the team and the restructuring of the sports hierarchy. Deco and his team, with Bojan (Krkic) and Enric (Masip), have done an extraordinary job to register the players. An extraordinary work has been done that I want to acknowledge. It is the architect of the signings of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. I like that Olmo was signed, I want to thank him for his will, but there was a very intense work.”
Laporta: “Relations with Real Madrid are bad because they resorted to the Negreira case and this is unacceptable. Let them do what they think and we will do what we think.”
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The Blaugrana boss also felt that Deco should be given some credit for Barcelona's good start to their league campaign. While there hasn't been much in the way of signing, Laporta said there are other reasons to be happy with his job.
“We already said that we were ready to make a big investment. We left Barça, Leipzig and the player happy. Deco is also the architect of the hiring of physical trainers. It is one of the keys to this very positive beginning of the League. The salary bill has been reduced and the quality of the team has improved. Now the team is worth more than in 2021. I am happy because he saw this first it helps the economic viability of the club. Deco conveys his knowledge to us. He has worked in many areas in the football world and gives him a very broad vision.”
Rather than their future job prospects, the door worried that Deco was too stressed over the summer – this was one of the reasons cited for the Brazilian-Portuguese potentially leaving the club.
“I feared for his health because everything was very stressful. These states are superlatively stressful, but I do not fear for his continuity in the club. We have enough confidence and it is very comfortable. We can see the work and we can be satisfied”, Laporta said.
It seems that Deco is going to stay at the club, otherwise it would be surprising that Laporta would speak so confidently on the matter. Although undoubtedly reeling from Barcelona's financial problems, and despite Laporta's praise, Deco has come under pressure for his work in the transfer market, especially spending heavily on youngster Vitor Roque.
