Barcelona director has asked for time off to make a decision on his contract renewal

With Mateu Alemany set to depart FC Barcelona on June 30, the club are already looking at potential replacements to take over from him as the Director of Football.

One name that has been heavily been tipped to replace Alemany in his role is that of current sports director Jordi Cruyff. But there are doubts over the continuity of the Dutchman as well, as his contract expires on June 30.

And now, Albert Masnou of SPORT is reporting that Cruyff has asked Barcelona president Joan Laporta for a break from his job over the coming weeks so that he can think about his future and decide whether he renews with the club or moves on.

Cruyff was an appointment made by Laporta after he returned as the president of the club in 2021. The Dutchman has a good relationship with manager Xavi Hernandez and even played a key role in some of the summer signings last year, especially Andreas Christensen.

But with the club set to undergo some restructuring following Alemany’s exit, Cruyff is still undecided whether he wishes to continue at Spotify Camp Nou beyond the duration of his current contract which expires on June 30.

Laporta, for his part, has claimed that he wishes to see the 49-year-old remain at the club and continue working with Xavi and the new director who would be replacing Alemany.

“I would like the new technical secretary to work side by side with Jordi Cruyff, this is where he should be,” he had said earlier today on TV3.

Deco has emerged as a possible contender for the role, as confirmed by Laporta himself. It is believed that there have been meetings held between the former midfielder and Xavi, without the presence of Cruyff.

The manager is also understood to have met with Laporta and his aide, Alejandro Echevarria, without Cruyff being present, adding some intrigue to the situation.

For now, though, it is claimed that the Dutchman has asked for some time off so that he can mull over his options and understand how the new structure will be put in place at the club before making a decision on his continuity.