Barcelona president showers praise on Mateu Alemany: “He did it with flying colours”

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has thanked Mateu Alemany for his services in difficult times, adding that his successor, Deco, has everything it takes to carry the torch forward.

Alemany’s departure was confirmed during the later part of August, with the reins of the transfer department transferred to the new sporting director, Deco.

Laporta full of praise for Alemany

Having helped the club over the course of the summer transfer window, Alemany stepped down from his duties on September 2, after the deadline day.

Speaking during the official presentation of Deco as the new director of football, Laporta had nothing but kind words for Alemany, saying that he is a very trained and professional person.

“He has successfully managed a very complicated inheritance in the sports field and with many obstacles. He did it with flying colours, excellent,” he was quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“He is intelligent, a great professional, very trained and a great person. He has built a highly competitive sports project and we wish him good luck wherever he goes,” he added.

Deco the right man to take the team forward

On the other hand, Laporta also said that the reigns are now in safe hands. Since Deco and Xavi have already played together at the club, they understand the tradition and culture that is followed.

“He [Deco] meets all the conditions. He has been an elite, reference player for Barça and has been a teammate of our coach, Xavi Hernandez,” he said. 

“They have a similar vision of football and, in addition, he has trained and has been as a businessman, and that has made him learn all the keys that are needed for negotiations to be fruitful.” 

The president further pressed that they wanted to hire someone who, “knows the football markets, not only the Brazilian one, but the European and emerging ones.”

Lastly, he revealed that both Deco and Alemay worked together during the summer transfer market and it was their effort that pulled Barcelona out of the financial trouble.

“This summer he has worked side by side with Mateu and has helped solve the cases. He has had a relevant role in building the project, which is competitive. And he has worked in harmony with the coach,” he concluded.