Barcelona general manager set to leave the club at the end of the month | OneFootball

Barcelona are set to undergo a notable change in their boardroom, with a key executive on his way out.

Manel del Rio, the club’s general manager, will leave his role at the end of the month, as confirmed by Mundo Deportivo.

The departure marks another significant development in the offices at Barcelona.

Del Rio departs by mutual agreement

The report claims Del Rio has already informed president Joan Laporta of his decision and said his goodbyes to the Board of Directors on Monday.

Barcelona continue to undergo key personnel change. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

The exit was “by mutual agreement,” with Del Rio being praised for the great work he carried out during his time at Barcelona.

Del Rio first joined the club in 2022 as financial director, having arrived from the multinational company Royal Talens, before being promoted to the role of general manager just a year ago.

That promotion had been designed to ease some of the workload from Laporta, who has long been an omnipresent figure across all areas of the club, from the Espai Barca project to transfers and sponsorship deals.

With Del Rio departing, the general manager position is left vacant for the time being, while Sergi Serrano will assume a new financial direction as Barcelona look to begin what they describe as “a new financial direction and a new stage.”

Tied to Laporta’s succession plans

The reshuffle comes at an intriguing time for Barcelona, with Laporta already beginning to think about the future beyond his own presidency.

Laporta wants to ensure continuity after his departure. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The Barcelona chief is serving his final term, as the club’s statutes prevent him from running again in the next election.

As such, ensuring stability and preparing a smooth transition has become a key priority for Laporta, who is keen to avoid the internal disruptions that marked earlier periods of his tenure.

Changes at executive level, such as Del Rio’s exit and the appointment of a new financial direction, could form part of that broader restructuring as Barcelona look to consolidate their footing for the years ahead.

With the club still navigating a delicate financial situation amid the costly Camp Nou renovation, getting the right people in place will be crucial.