Top News

Porto's Champions League success under Jose Mourinho will be difficult to repeat, according to Barcelona sporting director Deco. The former Portugal international was a key player under Mourinho in a spellbinding European campaign.

Porto memorably defeated Manchester United en route to the final, where they went on to beat Monaco and taste success. That was just Deco's first Champions League win, as his form during that run earned him a transfer to Barcelona.

Where his first achievement was with unfancied underdogs, his campaign with Barcelona saw him joined by superstars. Deco teamed up with the likes of Ronaldinho to defeat Arsenal in 2006, two years after his first triumph.

After his goalscoring performance in the final for Porto, Deco completed a £13million to Camp Nou the day after, with Ricardo Quaresma moving in the opposite direction. The midfielder had spent five years with Porto before that point.

The pace of the transfer market now, means Porto sell players too quickly to repeat a similar run. “Today is more difficult because the market is very aggressive,” Deco said.

READ MORE: Barcelona chief highlights where Man Utd and Marcus Rashford relationship went wrong

READ MORE: Cole Palmer shows true colours as Arsenal star booed at Stamford Bridge

“I hope it does [happen again]. I love the city.

"But it’s not easy for Porto to hold players. I stayed for five years, but a player like me or Ricardo Carvalho, they’d stay two years maximum [today].”

Deco's analysis of the transfer window is worth noting, given his position guiding Barcelona. The Brazil-born star first set up a sports agency beforet taking on a role in Catalonia.

It was Barcelona chief Joan Laporta who encouraged Deco into a role focused on the club. The former player had no direct plans to take up such a position at the club.

“My dream was to play for Barcelona when I was young, and I realised that dream, I’m a fan of the club,” Deco said. “Since retirement I’ve kept friends there, I have a house there.

“The club needed a change, a rebuild, and I wanted to help from the outside. It was not my idea to become sporting director. After his election, the president always said to me: ‘You need to become sporting director.’ ”

Speaking on the deal he completed for Marcus Rashford, Deco said: "He’s happy with us.

“Marcus is a fantastic player. He faced the responsibility of becoming an important player at Man United — United, like us, are one of the biggest clubs in the world — too young. He suffered a bit with this change of generation at United too."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Foo tball content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.