Deco’s Path to Becoming Barcelona’s Sporting Director Commenced in Gabon

Barcelona’s newly appointed Sporting Director, Deco, is just beginning his journey in the world of club transfers, having previously worked as a scout, agent, and consultant. However, some observers believe that his ascent to one of the top roles in football may have had some behind-the-scenes assistance.

Deco’s professional journey includes stints at Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency and the establishment of his own agency, D3 Sports Agency. Prior to his current role, he also served as a scout for Barcelona, with a focus on scouting talent in South America.

Nonetheless, Josep Maria Minguella, a long-time football agent and someone closely associated with the Barcelona board in the past, suggests that Deco’s appointment might be more about his connections than his technical expertise.

The recent military coup in Gabon, which saw the removal of Ali Bongo from power after 14 years, adds an intriguing layer to this story. Deco had previously worked as a consultant for Bongo, and Minguella claims that Deco’s association with the current Barcelona board dates back to that time. This connection goes beyond his more obvious links to President Joan Laporta as a former player.

Minguella made these comments on the program “Onze,” as reported by MD (Mundo Deportivo). He shed light on Alejandro Echevarria’s involvement in the situation. Echevarria, historically a partner of Deco, had served on the Barcelona board during Laporta’s first term but was forced to resign due to his links to former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. However, he still maintains a close relationship with Laporta, his ex-brother-in-law. During the summer transfer discussions, Echevarria has been a presence alongside Laporta, Xavi Hernandez, Deco, and Mateu Alemany.

The connection between Echevarria and Deco apparently traces back to an event for the Samuel Eto’o Foundation in Gabon, which was attended by luminaries such as Lionel Messi, Deco, and Echevarria.

While Deco has yet to officially assume his role at Barcelona, Echevarria’s influence seems to carry weight with Laporta, according to numerous reports. Deco’s appointment came as a surprise, and it coincided with the departure of Director of Football Mateu Alemany, who had been widely praised for his work at the club over the past two and a half years.