When Barcelona announced Deco as the new sporting director for the club, many had shown doubt over his capabilities.
Despite having a strong network in South America, Deco had little experience when it came to managing in Europe.
But more than two years into his new role, Deco appears to have built a strong foundation at Barcelona and has served as a key reason behind the club’s success.
How Deco succeeded at Barcelona
As reported by Sport newspaperDeco’s work over the past years has been defined by precision and pragmatism.
Economic hardship forced the club into limits “unsuspected” for an institution of its size. Yet instead of seeing this as a roadblock, Deco turned it into an opportunity.
Spending just €28 million while still maintaining the competitive level of the squad is an achievement that stands out in European football.
The comparison is telling: while a dozen Premier League sides alone have spent more than €200 million in the same market, Barcelona continued to thrive.
Even at home, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid investing over €100 million each, Deco ensured Barça stayed competitive without overextending resources. In fact, in a recent conversation, the sporting director has talked about the recent signings.
This success has come through a simple but effective approach: “little but good.” Deco has shown a firm commitment to not just external reinforcements but also securing what is already at home.
This frugal strategy has made Barcelona’s squad balanced, competitive, and far less vulnerable to the economic volatility that has plagued the club in recent years.
Deco, therefore, has emerged as more than just an administrator. He has become one of the central pillars of the current Barcelona project.
