Mateu Alemany signs for Atlético Madrid

BarcelonaMateu Alemany has already found a job. Two years and a bit after leaving Barça for personal reasons and deep disagreements With the club's management, the veteran Mallorcan footballer has become the new sporting director of Atlético de Madrid. Closely connected to the ownership of the Colchoneros club, his specific position is that of director of men's professional football, with direct management over the first team coached by Cholo Simeone and the reserve team, which currently competes in the Primera RFEF. He will report to Carlos Bucero, the club's General Director of Sporting Affairs.

The signing was announced Tuesday morning, two days after Atlético drew at Celta de Vigo on Sunday night. The Madrid side hasn't started La Liga well and currently has thirteen points in the standings, eight less than Real Madrid, who lead by nine this week thanks to Barça's defeat at Sevilla. Mateu Alemany will therefore have the challenge of maintaining the competitiveness of a team that has in recent years been accustomed to competing for every title. The Balearic native has recent experience at Barça, but has also built and managed exciting projects at Peter Lim's Valencia (2017-2019) and at Mallorca in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Mateu Alemany's latest major professional challenge

At 62 this year, Alemany begins a new footballing adventure in La Liga and will compete with Barça for both titles and potential future players. Following his departure as Barça's sporting director, there had been speculation that he would lead a bid to preside over the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). He has also received offers from Saudi clubs, and even announced, while still holding a position and salary at Barça, that he would sign for English club Aston Villa. On the other hand, Alemany was a key player in the club's upcoming elections, which are due to be held in the spring, but he has finally found another professional path.