No more Tikitaka? Sporting director Deco says Barcelona must change identity
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Barcelona sporting director Deco || Image credit: Imago

No more Tikitaka? Sporting director Deco says Barcelona must change identity

Faruq Ibrahim 21:58 - 12.02.2024

Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, believes the way out of the club's current woes is to abandon their traditional values and embrace more modern practices.

Deco, the former Barcelona maestro and current sporting director, has made a bold statement regarding the Catalan giant's style of play, hinting at a significant overhaul in the team's approach to the game. 

His words echo the need for a radical transformation, comparing the current situation to a method that has reached the end of its lifecycle. Barcelona, a club revered for its possession-based, attacking philosophy, might be on the cusp of a new era under Deco's guidance.

A New Direction for Barcelona

"A change is necessary. There is a method at the end of its cycle. We must find someone who will break once and for all with the past and move towards a new model," Deco expressed, signalling a clear intent to shift away from the traditional Barcelona way. 

This statement not only highlights Deco's vision for the future but also underscores the importance of evolution in maintaining the club's competitiveness on the global stage.

Barcelona sporting director Deco || Image credit: Imago
Barcelona sporting director Deco || Image credit: Imago

The necessity to "break once and for all with the past" suggests a willingness to deviate from the tiki-taka style that defined Barcelona's most successful periods. This philosophy, rooted in Johan Cruyff's teachings and perfected by Pep Guardiola, has been synonymous with Barcelona for over a decade. 

However, Deco's comments imply that adherence to this singular style may no longer be the most effective strategy. The search for a "new model" hints at a more adaptable and possibly diverse tactical approach capable of challenging the current football landscape dominated by high pressing and rapid transitions.

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