Joan Laporta knows he made a ‘risky gamble’ with Barcelona sporting director

It has been a volatile summer for Barcelona so far. Barring Dani Olmo, the club have found it difficult to secure deals for their top targets, with their hands virtually tied via La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play regulations.

However, part of the blame should also go to sporting director Deco, who has been quite able to pull players without the presence of a certain Xavi Hernandez.

Joan Laporta’s ‘bet’ on Deco

Adrian Sanchez has informed Barça Universal that Joan Laporta is fully aware that appointing Deco as Barcelona’s sporting director was a bold and risky decision.

that the Barcelona president recognizes the high stakes involved in his choice but appears committed to seeing it through, despite the mixed results and criticisms that have followed.

Deco, a former Barcelona player and fan favourite, took over the sporting director role earlier this year with the task of navigating a tricky transfer window under severe financial constraints.

However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Many fans have expressed frustration over his negotiation skills, pointing to a series of missed opportunities that have left the squad lacking in key areas.

High-profile targets like Nico Williams slipped through Barcelona’s fingers, leaving supporters questioning whether Deco was the right man for the job.

Despite the criticism, Laporta seems set on sticking with Deco for the time being. According to Sanchez, while some managers within the club might secretly welcome a change, there are no immediate plans for Deco’s departure.

For now, Deco’s future as sporting director appears secure, but with Barcelona’s ambitions and financial limitations colliding, his performance will continue to be scrutinized.

The gamble may not have paid off just yet, but Laporta seems prepared to see if Deco can turn things around, even if it means weathering a storm of criticism along the way.