Deco set to return to Barcelona as technical director
Joan Laporta brings in former Barca star in bid to rebuild team
Experienced Brazilian will oversee recruitment and player development
Barcelona are set to appoint Deco as their new technical director, according to reports in Spain.
The 26-year-old Spanish forward has been on the club's agenda for a few years now and previous manager Ronald Koeman was keen to bring him in. However, it is understood that Deco has been in talks with Barcelona over returning to the club he was at as a player and has now agreed a deal to take up the role.
Deco will be responsible for overseeing recruitment and player development at Barcelona, working closely with manager Xavi Hernandez. He will also be part of the club's board of directors.
The appointment follows a reshuffle Barcelona announced in May. The team's current director of football, Mateu Alemany, was promoted to the role of general manager, while Deco will take over his previous responsibilities.
Barcelona are yet to make an official statement about the new structure but Alemany confirmed his own appointment on Monday. He said that Deco would be "a key part of our project" and that he was "delighted" to be working with him.
Deco played for Barcelona between 2004 and 2008, winning two La Liga titles and the Champions League. He also played for Chelsea, Porto and Fluminense.
Since retiring from playing, Deco has worked as a pundit and as a technical director at Fluminense. He has also been linked with a number of other clubs, including Manchester City and Arsenal.
A top priority at this point and a huge challenge for Deco is to find a new right-back for the team. Sergino Dest has been linked with a move away from the club and Barcelona are keen to find a replacement who can provide competition for Ronald Araujo.
Barca have been linked with a number of right-backs, including Cesar Azpilicueta, Joao Cancelo and Noussair Mazraoui. However, it is understood that Deco is keen to sign a younger player who can develop into a long-term option for the club.
Deco's appointment is a sign of Barcelona's determination to rebuild the team after a disappointing season. The club finished ninth in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages.
Laporta has already made a number of changes to the playing squad, signing Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore in January. He is also expected to be active in the summer transfer window.
Deco's arrival is a boost for Barcelona and he will be expected to play a key role in the club's future success.
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