Manel del Rio leaves Barcelona as club prepares to reshape its executive structure

Barcelona are facing a change in their senior administration after chief executive Manel del Rio resigned from his position after only one year in the role.

Spanish newspaper ARA reported that Del Rio formally submitted his resignation and said goodbye to the club’s board on Monday. Wednesday will be his final day at Camp Nou.

The club’s executive offices are now set for a period of restructuring, with responsibilities expected to be redistributed following the unexpected departure.

Barcelona said in a brief statement that Del Rio’s exit had been agreed mutually and that the handover process had been completed smoothly, without any disagreement between the two parties.

Del Rio joined Barcelona four years ago, in September 2022, initially serving as an assistant to Maribel Melendez, who was then the club’s general manager. He took up the role after Ferran Reverter, the previous holder of the position, left.

His resignation comes after only a short period as the club’s leading executive, increasing the need for Barcelona to decide quickly how its administrative responsibilities will be organised.

Serrano set for increased influence

Sergio Serrano, the latest addition to Barcelona’s executive team, is expected to take on a significant role in the next phase.

Serrano joined from Banco Sabadell and is set to oversee the club’s finances, an important area as Barcelona considers its next administrative structure.

The club has already interviewed several candidates for the vacant general manager’s position, according to the reports. However, Barcelona are also considering options from within Camp Nou.

Internal promotion remains a strong possibility, with existing employees potentially being given greater authority and broader responsibilities as the club decides how to replace Del Rio and manage the transition.

The changes leave Barcelona examining both external candidates and its current executive staff while it works to establish a new distribution of power within the club’s offices.