Deco redraws the power map at Barca

Deco is quietly building a new Barcelona.

When Deco officially took the reins as Barcelona’s sporting director in August 2023, many were still skeptical about his ability to steer a ship that was rocking after a period of turbulence. But in less than two years, he has quietly laid the foundations for a “new Barca” – where stability, youthfulness and sustainability are gradually replacing nostalgia.

Extension - Deco's political weapon

Rebuilding the squad does not need to be a noisy revolution in the transfer market. For Deco, contract renewals are a strategic lever to strengthen the squad in a sustainable way. 19 renewals in less than 24 months is a number that cannot be overlooked - from pillars such as Ter Stegen, Araujo, Frenkie de Jong to young gems such as Gavi, Balde or Fermin.

Most notable, of course, is Lamine Yamal - the 2007-born talent whose contract has been extended until 2031, with a release clause of up to 1 billion euros. That is not only a sign of trust, but also a declaration: "Barca will no longer let young stars be stolen easily".

Unlike previous sporting spells that were caught up in a whirlwind of shopping sprees or big-money signings that lacked depth, Deco has shown remarkable composure, determined not to let release clauses weaken the club’s control, as happened with Ousmane Dembele.

Instead, new contracts follow a "no easy way out" philosophy - if anyone wants to leave, it will be a serious negotiation, not a matter of paying money.

Everything at Barca is now tightly controlled.

Of course, Deco also knows when to give in. Robert Lewandowski and Iñigo Martínez – two veteran names – were given new contracts despite being automatically eligible to join next season. He knows that, in a rapidly rejuvenating dressing room, experience is indispensable.

Quiet but not passive

If stability is the backbone of strategy, then silence is Deco's perfect cover. He doesn't make big statements or create "blockbusters" in the market, but what happens behind the scenes shows a systematic, strategic and visionary operating system.

Even complicated cases like Ansu Fati - who extended his contract until 2028 but was then loaned out - were handled appropriately: keeping the club's assets intact while giving the player a chance to regain his form without disrupting the wage bill.

Deco doesn’t just care about the first team. He keeps an eye on every link, from the coaching bench (renewing Xavi and then decisively replacing him with Hansi Flick), to the youth team and the academy. The story of the signing of cousins Toni and Guille Fernandez is a testament: “rough diamonds” are just as valued as first-team regulars, if they are part of the strategic vision.

Deco has a decisiveness.

Deco is building a version of Barca that is not noisy, does not follow trends but follows its own trajectory: steady, patient and systematic. He does not paint a dreamy future with superstars, but quietly retains the worthy ones - from experienced veterans to promising young talents.

If success comes in the next few years, Hansi Flick may be hailed as a trophy-winning coach. But that winning machine, if it does materialise, will bear the clear fingerprints of Deco – a man who doesn’t need much of the limelight to do his job properly.

Source: https://znews.vn/deco-ve-lai-ban-do-quyen-luc-o-barca-post1574608.html