Jordi Cruyff could follow Alemany out of Barça
The departure of Mateu Alemany, a key player within the hierarchy during the last two years, weakens the club’s structure. Jordi Cruyff could follow suit, leaving Barça forced to restructure.
Paradoxically, Barça suffered a new setback on the same day that they virtually won their 27th league title. It was the latest example of how complex Barça is - and has always been. An untimely official statement on Tuesday night announced the departure of Mateu Alemany, who will leave his post as Director of Football on 30 June.
Losing Alemany, a key player within the hierarchy during the past two years, is a blow Joan Laporta. Alemany was in charge of planning a multimillion-dollar squad from which a coherent, competitive team could be selected. He also had the complex task of mixing and matching salaries. And Mateu was the main communication vessel for Barça with LaLiga. Now, the club will have to find new interlocutors with LaLiga - and with Xavi if his assistant Jordi Cruyff follows Alemany, out of the door, which is a scenario that has been put forward.
They didn’t arrive at Barça at the same time and Mateu has much more status - as well as being the one who made decisions. Alemany was the man behind success stories such as Christensen or Aubameyang. And also with signings that have not worked so well, such as Ferran Torres, for whom the club forked out 62 million, and who could also be on his way to Birmingham this summer.
The astronomical contract which Aston Villa offered him is not the only reason the Mallorcan executive is leaving. He was not convinced where the planning of the squad was heading for next season, with Messi as a piece angular. He has had problems with Laporta almost since he arrived, but he endured those differences because, little by little, the team was undergoing a renewal period. He feels all of that work could be undermined if Messi returns which is why he has taken the decision to step aside.
From a sporting point of view, Barça is now in the hands of Xavi, who is expected to extend his contract beyond 2024. The coach will gain more authority and power - among other things, because he was in agreement with Laporta about Leo Messi returning. Re-signing the Argentine, a key figure in the club’s history, would condition every aspect of the team planning. Busquets and Jordi Alba, two of his close friends whose contracts are coming to an end, could end up renewing.
At an executive level, Barça needs to reorganize at breakneck speed, because it has a thousand fronts open with LaLiga. Two complaints in the Mercantile Court (one for the Gavi issue and another for the funds from the Sixth Street broadcasting rights deal which LaLiga does not allow it to use, unlike the clubs that signed with CVC). Plus the need to register Gavi and Araújo within their salary cap, in addition to renewing Alejandro Balde’s contract. Then there are the new signings lined up for this summer - Iñigo Martínez and maybe Gundogan. Both of those deals will need to be closed asap.
But some players will have to leave this summer to make room. Alemany’s departure clearly points to Ferran being one of those who will be moved on. Messi’s arrival would also affect Ansu Fati, who Jorge Mendes has promised to offload for 70 million euros. Barça need to reorganize at full speed - if they don’t, more turbulent times lie ahead.