Mateu Alemany Continues At FC Barcelona In Shock U-Turn: Reports

FC Barcelona’s previously outgoing director of football Mateu Alemany has offered to continue at the club in a shock U-turn which has been accepted by president Joan Laporta, according to SPORT.

On May 2, shortly after Barca had beaten Osasuna 1-0 at home and edged close to the La Liga title since sealed at the weekend, the Catalans sent out an official statement announcing Alemany’s departure.

“Despite having a contract until 2024, Mateu Alemany has informed the FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, of his intention to begin a new professional project,” the statement read.

Many Barca fans were rocked by the headline news yet somewhat put at ease when it was added that Alemany, scheduled to pack his bags on June 30, would remain committed to Barca’s dealings in the summer transfer window even if that meant working up until deadline day approaching September.

Later that week, Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic reported that Alemany would be taking up a similar role at Premier League club Aston Villa.

However on the day after Barca announced that sporting director Jordi Cruyff will be leaving the club following two years at the helm, SPORT has reported how Alemany has offered to continue at Camp Nou.

According to the Catalan daily newspaper, Alemany has “reconsidered his position” and met with Laporta on Wednesday to communicate his willingness to stay on beyond the summer. Not long following this initial report, SPORT then added that Laporta has accepted his director of football’s suggestion.

Alemany believes that he can “help complete the sports project he started two years ago”, and his U-turn will be welcomed by Culers who view him as the mastermind behind several much-needed player departures plus the landing of big names such as Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski.

Had he gone ahead with his exit, Alemany would have left Barca during a period when they have just been crowned La Liga champions for the first time in four years and also lifted the Spanish Super Cup in January.

A heavy knockout by Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals ended hopes of what would have been an impressive domestic treble. Yet rather than taking improved money and having more cash to spend in England, Alemany might wish to see how far he can go at Barca as making key signings this summer and returning the Blaugrana to being a force in Europe once more would look far better on his resume in the long run.