Barcelona have spent the past few years reshaping the club both on and off the pitch as Joan Laporta continues to oversee a major period of transformation.
The financial side of the institution has been particularly important, with the club working to improve its economic position while continuing to fund the ambitious Espai Barca project.
That work has included the return of the general manager position in 2025, with the role designed to strengthen the club’s internal structure and take some responsibility away from Laporta.
Manel del Rio became an important figure within that structure after initially arriving at Barca in 2022 as financial director.
He later took on corporate responsibilities and became heavily involved in the club’s financial strategy, including the financing of Espai Barca, a project valued at around €1.45 billion.
Barcelona are now preparing for another change behind the scenes, with Manel del Rio set to leave his position as general manager at the end of September.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Del Rio informed Laporta of his decision before communicating his departure to the club’s senior management, with the exit described as being by mutual agreement.
The club has reportedly praised the work carried out by Del Rio during his time in the role, while the general manager position will initially remain vacant.
Sergio Serrano, Barcelona’s financial director this season, is expected to take on a significant portion of Del Rio’s responsibilities on an interim basis.
Del Rio’s departure brings an end to a Barca spell that began in 2022 after he joined from Royal Talens, where he had previously worked in financial roles.
His experience became particularly valuable during Barcelona’s work on the financing of Espai Barca, with Del Rio involved in the club’s agreement with Goldman Sachs.
He also became one of the club’s key voices when dealing with La Liga over financial matters, including the league’s salary-cap regulations.
The timing comes during another important period for Barcelona, with the club projecting €1.195 billion in operating revenue for the 2026/27 season.
Del Rio’s exit therefore represents more than simply a change of personnel, given the responsibilities he held across Barcelona’s financial and corporate structure.
The club will now begin another phase of its internal reorganisation while Laporta continues to oversee the wider sporting, financial and infrastructure projects shaping Barcelona’s future.
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