Deco set to join Barcelona as sporting director

Deco is set to replace Barcelona’s outgoing sporting director Jordi Cruyff at the end of the season.

Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that Cruyff will leave the La Liga champions in the summer as he wishes “to embark on new professional endeavours”.

Deco, a former Barcelona midfielder, is now primed to replace Cruyff in the prestigious role at the Camp Nou. He will also help fill the void left by director of football Mateu Alemany when he departs for Aston Villa in the summer.

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The 45-year-old, who currently acts as the agent of Barcelona winger Raphinha, played at the Camp Nou between 2004 and 2008.

It is currently unclear if Deco will have to sever his working relationship with Raphinha but the former Leeds United forward has said he will remain at Barcelona next season.