Barcelona Sporting Director Deco was a change of direction at the club, and it was declared by many that he would have full authority over decisions in the transfer market. There has also been significant talk that he does not always see eye to eye with manager Xavi Hernandez.
The pair were not always on the same page as players, which ended up with Deco leaving the club at the hand of Pep Guardiola, and various incidents have suggested that there is again tension between the two, despite both publicly claiming they have an excellent relationship.
Xavi felt he had the backing of predecessor Jordi Cruyff and Director of Football Mateu Alemany, but Deco stitched Xavi up in December, telling the media that the coach’s decision to recall Robert Lewandowski to the squad for their tie with Royal Antwerp was entirely his, after Xavi declared it was group decision with the club. Deco also declared that a change of style was needed at Barcelona in an interview in February, although his statements were later walked back by the media outlet that published them. That came after two years of Xavi underlining the importance of recovering their style.
After Girona put Barcelona to the sword, President Joan Laporta went viral for his reaction, saying ‘This cannot be’, and asking his colleagues ‘what do we do now?’ According to Barca Reservat, Laporta’s outburst was not even the most angry, with Deco scathing in his criticism of Xavi, and much more pointedly going after the coach than the team.
The post More evidence of Deco-Xavi Hernandez conflict at Barcelona – Sporting Director’s fury after Girona loss appeared first on Football España.
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