Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany has opened up about his decision to stay at the club and reject a switch to Aston Villa.
Alemany previously stated the challenge of a "new professional project" was his reason for leaving for Villa to join up with Unai Emery in the Premier League.
However, amid reports of Villa’s financial future being uncertain, Alemany performed a U-turn to remain in Catalonia in 2023.
Barcelona’s own financial position is also in a poor state, but the pull of staying at the Camp Nou and continuing his strong working relationship with Xavi was a key factor in the change.
"I’m very clear that my place is at Barca, the best club in the world. I’m totally committed to helping this project, which has taken a very important step.
"Aston Villa has an impressive project and one of the best coaches in Europe, but after personal reflection, this is where I want to be.
"I hope in the coming years we will continue to climb the steps to dominate European football again", as per an interview with DAZN Espana.
Alemany is expected to work closely with Xavi in the coming months as the pair aim to build a transfer strategy on a limited budget.
Lionel Messi remains a key target for Xavi, but the salary demands of the former Barcelona talisman would present a huge barrier, with a string of sales expected first.
Barcelona 1-2 Real Sociedad: Barca's 3-game winning run ends despite Lewy's nets
Barcelona’s La Liga celebrations have been disrupted by a 2-1 defeat at home to Real Sociedad.
Match Report
La Blaugrana slipped to their first home league loss of the campaign, less than a week after being confirmed as Spanish champions for the first time since 2019.
Xavi’s side struggled to cope with their Basque visitors from the start at the Camp Nou, as Alexander Sorloth slipped in Mikel Merino for the opening goals.
Barcelona did look to rally either side of the break, as Ousmane Dembele was superbly denied on his return to the Barcelona starting line-up.
Sorloth then went from provider to goal scorer in the closing stages, as he confidently doubled the visitors lead to clinch the win.
Robert Lewandowski’s 21st league goal of the season offered Barcelona some hope in added time, but the away side sealed a win at the Camp Nou for the first time in over three decades.
La Real now have a five-point lead inside the top four with three games left to play.
Match Events
The match is about to start!
5' GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Real Sociedad (Merino)
16' Dembele's header stopped
23' Lewandowski's free kick over the bar
30' Ter Stegen makes a good save.
37' Yellow Card! Illarramendi booked
53' Yellow Card! Lewandowski booked
66' Sorloth's header wide out
72' GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Real Sociedad (Alexander Srloth)
82' Ter Stegen makes a decent save.
90' GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Real Sociedad (Lewandowski)
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: Lewandowski, Alba, Busquets, Ter Stegen, Christensen, Kessie, Dembele, De Jong, Raphinha, Kounde, lex Baldé
Subs: Roberto, Alonso, Pena, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Fati, Pablo Torre, and Ander Astralaga
Real Sociedad XI: Illarramendi, Alexander Srloth, Rico, Lex Remiro, Elustondo, Robin Le Normand, Merino, Zubelda, Martn Zubimendi, Ander Barrenetxea, Momo Cho
Subs: Carlos Fernández, Gorosabel, Oyarzabal, Andoni Zubiaurre, lex Sola, Ander Guevara, Takefusa Kubo, Aihen Muoz, Robert Navarro, Beat Turrientes, Jon Pacheco, Pablo Marn