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Deco confirmed as Barcelona's new sporting director, with the LaLiga champions making a massive change as Mateu Alemany follows Jordi Cruyff out the door in favour of the former Chelsea and Portugal star

Deco has been confirmed as Barcelona's new sporting director on a permanent basis, in a massive change of management which sees Mateu Alemany leave the Catalan giants.

The former first-team midfielder joined the club from Porto in 2004, and had four enjoyable years in Barcelona before moving to Premier League side Chelsea.

Deco, 45, had been doing the sporting director's duties temporarily, but Barcelona confirmed his full-time appointment on Wednesday, honouring him with a three-year contract.

A club statement said Deco would be 'setting FC Barcelona's sporting philosophy and putting together the squad with the coach and the coaching and becoming head of the football section'.