A new era begins in Catalonia. After another disappointment in the Champions League in the quarter-finals against PSG and a second place in La Liga, ten points behind its rivals Madrid, FC Barcelona decided to thank Xavi at the end of a saga with multiple twists and turns. To replace the former Catalan midfielder, the Culers then bet on Hansi Flick, back in the forefront following a failed stint with the German national team. “FC Barcelona and coach Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become the coach of the Barça first team until June 30, 2026. The new FC Barcelona coach signed his contract in the club’s offices, in the presence of President Joan Laporta, Vice President Responsible for Sport Rafa Yuste and Sporting Director Deco”said the press release from the Barcelona club to make the news official. For his part, the Heidelberg native, determined to put Barça back at the top of the European chessboard, was quick to display his ambitions.
Workouts reminiscent of Luis Enrique style
“It is a great honour and also a dream to sign a contract as coach of FC Barcelona. This club is incredible. The philosophy is similar to mine, possession football and very technical (…). I really want to start. Since I arrived, I have seen that everyone loves this club and does everything possible for its success. Barça has one of the best youth teams in the world. In the first team, there is a mix between experienced players and talented youngsters. I think we have to work so that they can improve. That is our job with Deco and president Laporta. Teamwork is very important to me. I won some titles with Bayern Munich and I am sure to follow that path at Barcelona. We can continue many things because that is what is most important.”assured the person concerned at the microphone of Barca TV. But what about after these few weeks at the head of the Catalan team?
According to the latest information from the daily newspaper AS and despite a small squad – Flick only has 12 first-team players, a direct consequence of the various international fixtures over the summer – the first significant change is at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where the Culers are preparing for the start of the 2024-2025 season. Indeed, the Spanish media outlet specifies that the 59-year-old German coach wasted no time in implementing an intense training schedule, similar to what he had been able to offer during his time at Bayern Munich. Aware that optimal physical preparation is a necessity in today’s football, the former coach of the Nationalmannschaft has given his players little respite since he took over the helm on July 10. To illustrate the philosophy embodied by the new architect of Barça, the teammates of Vitor Roque, who decided to cut short his vacation to perfect his physical condition, have already completed thirteen training sessions, spread over four double sessions.
The return of Thiago Alcántara, symbol of the Flick effect
Although the Blaugranas will enjoy a second day of rest this Sunday, Flick has only made one concession so far, namely cancelling the afternoon training session of the first day of work. Since then and while waiting for the return of the first internationals (Lewandowski and Christensen are expected this Monday while Ter Stegen, Gündogan and Raphinha will follow at the end of the week), the planning of the work sessions has been carried out to the letter, with an impact on the physical aspect that, according to the dressing room, has not been seen since the Luis Enrique era. A rhythm that is not about to stop. This week, the Culers will continue, in this regard, to accumulate physical training supervised by Julio Tous, with two more double sessions and only one day of rest, scheduled for Saturday. In total, the first team will have completed twenty training sessions before flying to the United States where they will begin an intense ten-day tour (July 28 to August 7) with three matches on the program: Manchester City (July 30), Real Madrid (August 3) and AC Milan (August 6).
Key to Munich’s success during Flick’s time in Bavaria, this intensity did not fail to provoke a reaction within the Catalan locker room. “The training sessions are not very long either, but it doesn’t stop at any point”notes a member of the Barcelona team in this regard. Forced by the time difference and the high temperatures to come during the Culers’ trip across the Atlantic, the German tactician – who will have to wait a little longer before meeting up with some key players such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Eric Garcia and Fermín López – is therefore trying to maximise the time spent at Sant Joan Despí. But that’s not all. In addition to the training grounds, the man who gave Bayern Munich an incredible sextuple (Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup) is also sharing his ideas for building the future face of the Blaugranas. From then on, the former manager of TSG Hoffenheim, seduced by the Spaniard’s vision of football, can particularly boast of having convinced Thiago Alcántara to join him in this new project.
Close collaboration with its management for the transfer window
“Thiago Alcántara, who recently announced his retirement from the pitch at the age of 33, will join Hansi Flick’s team in the coming weeks to train as a coach. The former footballer is expected to be part of the first team squad throughout the summer and will therefore be one of the expeditioners on the tour to the United States. The La Masia-trained midfielder and the new Barça coach have built a good personal relationship during their only season together at Bayern Munich, winning a treble.”specified the Catalan press release. At the same time, Flick also continues to maintain close ties with his president Joan Laporta and his sporting director, Deco, to find the best deals on the transfer market. If the track leading to Nico Williams, currently in the colors of Athletic Bilbao and strong from a sparkling Euro 2024, remains more relevant than ever, the new Barça coach has also made his desires known to the upper echelons of the club. In this respect, he would absolutely like to integrate Noah Darvich, U17 world champion with the Mannschaft, into the professional group.
Loaned to Levante last season and coveted by different clubs with a year to go on his contract, Álex Valle is also part of the German’s plans, who sees him as a possible understudy at left-back and would like to test him during pre-season. While the João Félix and João Cancelo cases continue to be talked about, Flick has also indicated his desire to continue the adventure with Vitor Roque, despite the many departure rumors. Finally, the 59-year-old coach – well aware of Barça’s precarious financial situation – is also looking outside. Eager to strengthen his midfield, this is how he is said to have mentioned Angelo Stiller. The 23-year-old German midfielder had a remarkable season with Stuttgart. A key player in the success of Sébastien Hoeness’ men, the sentinel has also come to the fore with a goal and six assists in 36 appearances this season with Serhou Guirassy’s teammates.
Considered one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga – he was also the under-23 player to have made the most progressive passes during the last season in the five major championships (207 passes) – his profile particularly appeals to Hansi Flick. Born in Munich and trained at Bayern, the German U21 international (17 caps) was also launched for the first time in the Champions League by the former coach of the Bavarian club in December 2020. Under contract until 2027 with the residents of the Mercedes-Benz Arena, the left-hander could therefore pack up and leave in the coming weeks, even if the amount requested by the German team (around 25 million euros) could cool the Catalans’ ardor. While we wait to see what Barcelona’s first purchases will be on the transfer market, one thing is already clear: the Hansi Flick revolution has well and truly begun on the other side of the Pyrenees.
