Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed robust support for Director of Football Deco, whose future at the club hangs in the balance ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. Opposition candidate Victor Font has publicly stated he would not retain Deco if he wins against current president Joan Laporta.
The presidential race between Font and Laporta has intensified following a recent, candid interview with former coach Xavi Hernandez. Xavi critically questioned Laporta’s leadership, blaming him for Lionel Messi’s failed return to Barcelona in 2023, and drawing attention to the significant influence of Laporta’s former brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarria, within the club.
During the interview, Xavi also claimed that Flick had apologized to him for negotiating with Barcelona while Xavi was still in charge. Flick, however, chose to keep the details private, stating: “We’re colleagues and have a good relationship. I’ve visited him, we’ve met, but it’s a private matter. I know the truth and I’m keeping it to myself. I won’t reveal it here.”
Flick’s Unwavering Support for Deco
While Flick refrained from openly endorsing a specific presidential candidate, his unwavering defense of Deco implicitly aligns him with Laporta’s campaign. Laporta’s camp has suggested that a victory for Font could potentially jeopardize Flick’s own position at the club.
Flick underscored his positive and productive working relationship with the sporting director: “We have to wait. What I can say is that from day one, I’ve enjoyed working with Deco and Bojan. We don’t just analyze the first team, but also the players from La Masia. We talked about Casado, Bernal, and Gerard Martin when I arrived. We share the same ideas, we see the same things.” He further added, “This is one of the most important weeks of our season. We have to focus on the matches. We’re all in this together. Everything at Barca is great, and I have been here one and a half years, and I’ve enjoyed every single moment. And Alejandro, when you need something, he pushes for it. We’ve built a team for the future. We want everything to work and give 100%. I have a lot of respect for Newcastle, and we have to focus on tomorrow.”
Focus on the Pitch, Not Politics
Following these remarks, Flick skillfully redirected the conversation back to upcoming football fixtures, emphasizing his team’s immediate priorities. “I’m only focused on the match. We’re in a nice hotel with an amazing atmosphere in the squad, and we’ve come directly from Bilbao. If we play badly tomorrow, after the game, I’m sure you won’t ask me about that.”
Xavi’s interview has faced criticism within Barcelona for its timing, seen by some as a significant distraction during the club’s crucial Champions League campaign, and seemingly calculated for maximum political impact.
Flick, however, refused to comment on Xavi’s motives or remarks, simply stating: “It’s up to him to say it, not me. It’s him who gave the interview, so he has to answer that.”
The Blaugrana are preparing to face Newcastle United on Tuesday night at 21:00 CEST. They previously defeated the Magpies 2-1 in their initial league phase encounter.
