Barcelona has handed the reins to Hansi Flick, a seasoned tactician with a proven track record, as the club seeks to reclaim its position at the pinnacle of European football.
Following the mutual decision to part ways with Xavi, Barcelona has turned to Hansi Flick to spearhead the team’s new era, bringing a fresh perspective to the dugout.
“FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026,” said the club in a statement.
“The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta.”
“The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta.”
Hansi Flick’s coaching journey has seen him scale remarkable heights, including guiding Bayern Munich to a historic sextuple in 2020.
However, his tenure as Germany’s national coach was marked by a series of disappointing results, culminating in his dismissal in September 2023 – a first in the history of the German national team, and a rare blot on an otherwise impressive coaching resume.
Read also: “I’ll Stay”: Xavi Doubles Down On Barcelona Coaching Role
This season, Hansi Flick was a familiar face in the presidential box at Camp Nou, observing Barcelona’s matches with a keen eye. His interest in the team was no coincidence, as he emerged as a top contender for the coaching role once Xavi announced his impending departure in January.
Xavi’s tenure at Barcelona was abruptly cut short when Laporta made a shocking volte-face, sacking the former fan favorite just days after confirming his continuation as coach. The initial decision to retain Xavi was made in April, but Laporta’s change of heart led to a swift and unexpected departure.
“It won’t be easy at all — they will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job,” Xavi warned his successor last week after winning his final match in charge against Sevilla in La Liga.
“The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not.”
Barcelona finished second in La Liga this season and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.
Laporta’s anger was reportedly ignited by Xavi’s frank assessment of Barcelona’s economic challenges in May, which highlighted the club’s difficulties in keeping pace with dominant forces like Real Madrid and other elite European teams. Xavi’s comments seemingly ruffled Laporta’s feathers, contributing to the coach’s eventual dismissal.