Sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick have formed a solid partnership at FC Barcelona, leading to two La Liga titles despite Real Madrid’s stronger financial position.
Since Flick’s arrival, continuous cooperation with Deco has been vital in first-team decisions, especially regarding transfers.
While Deco previously led the club's market operations with Flick’s approval, in summer 2026 it was Flick who shaped the club’s transfer direction. For example, he requested Anthony Gordon when considering the purchase option on Marcus Rashford and also pushed for the signing of Karim Adeyemi, whom Flick knew from his time with the German national team.
Flick’s influence also extended to the fitness department, prompting the appointment of Benjamin Kugel as the new fitness coach.
Conversely, despite Deco’s interest, Flick rejected the deal for Alessandro Bastoni, reflecting full club support for the head coach’s decisions.
This transfer strategy led by Flick with Deco’s involvement strengthens the squad’s competitiveness for the 2026/27 season.
