This is the story about Hansi Flick. We don’t want to take any credit away from Jamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Pedri, and company. Even in their toughest moments, Barcelona always had aces up their sleeves. La Masia came to president Laporta’s aid when his position was most unstable, and those youngsters, despite their age, showed many seasoned players how football should be played. Still, we must not overlook the fact that Xavi Hernandez, apart from Dani Olmo (who hasn’t even been a key player this season) and Wojciech Szczęsny, had the exact same squad at his disposal. And if we exclude the familiar faces, everything else—results, style of play, atmosphere, and perception—are like night and day.🇩🇪 Hansi Flick with Barcelona:👔 48 games😀 36 wins🤝 6 draws❎ 6 losses⚽️ 145 goals scored🏆 Supercopa winner☑️ 1st in LaLiga☑️ Champions League quarter-final☑️ Copa del Rey finalTop coach! 🧠 pic.twitter.com/QOyNVNyyVd— Sholy Nation Sports (@Sholynationsp) April 11, 2025 Flick was, admittedly, a bit of an unknown. His last stint with the German national team ended poorly, it was his first time working outside of Germany, and he didn’t know the language, the culture, or the football of Spain. Analysts often described him as “not a genius, just consistent and methodical.” Plus, Barcelona wasn’t in a position to sign new players. But aside from the end of the first half of the season—when players admitted they got overconfident thinking their dominance would make everything easy—Barca has played flawlessly. Or as you might say: flawlessly, the German way. And the German at the helm, says the newspaper Sport, feels fantastic and wants to stay until retirement. Yes, until retirement. Because Flick is 60 years old, and his coaching career began way back in 1996 with Bammental. He went on to Hoffenheim, where he didn’t leave much of a mark. Then came roles as assistant or deputy coach… at Salzburg, the German national team, and Bayern Munich. He’s got the experience. But he only truly stepped into the spotlight when Niko Kovac left the Bavarian giants. Flick went from interim solution to absolute hero, winning seven trophies in under two years, even humiliating Messi and co. along the way.Barca want to keep Flick for a long timeAccording to Spanish media, Flick had a coaching epiphany watching Rijkaard’s Barcelona and Ronaldinho’s magic, back in 2005 after being dismissed by fourth-tier Hoffenheim. They say that the sight of Camp Nou and the Brazilian artist awakened something new in him—a desire to achieve something extraordinary. It’s also said that when his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he realized that death can’t be avoided and has to be faced head-on. That moment changed his outlook on life—and football, which for him became a kind of controlled game with fire, as if every match, every action, might be the last and should be lived to the fullest. What we do know, and what everyone who’s met him agrees on, is that Flick has an incredible ability to connect with players, to listen to them, bring them together, and motivate them. When Ansu Fati came on during the match against Borussia, it brought smiles all around, and many believed maybe Flick could even revive the unlucky heir to Messi’s number 10.Brave Leganes’ own goal wins the game for pale and fortunate BarcaBecause so far, he’s succeeded with everyone. He’s reinvigorated Raphinha, who went from inconsistent flashes to leader and Ballon d’Or contender. He’s revived Lewandowski, who couldn’t rise from the ashes last season despite his experience. He brought back players nearly written off, like Eric García and Inigo Martínez. He restored Frenkie de Jong. He helped Pedri level up in skill, tactics, and form. And when that machine is well-oiled, kids like Yamal, Cubarsí, and Casado are free to play to their heart’s content. He did the same at Bayern—built a foundation, revived players, and created a bridge between generations through dialogue, understanding, work, and discipline. Javi Martínez describes him as a very calm man, even when he’s angry—nothing like the intense Guardiola types. Psychology and motivation are his main tools.”I respect Real Madrid and Ancelotti, but we are different”Witnesses say the German national team that won the 2014 World Cup under Joachim Low had a key figure in Flick, whose biggest strength was communication. Though he struggled when he took over on his own, players still speak positively of him in the World Cup documentary ‘All or Nothing‘. For him, positive atmosphere and harmony are crucial, says Leon Goretzka—“but if you cross the line, there will be consequences.” “He never yells” adds Rudiger, “he just speaks very, very clearly.”Yamal on Pedri and Raphinha’s financial levelDiscipline and punctuality are also non-negotiable for him. Inaki Pena found that out when he was benched in the Spanish Super Cup for being late to training. Jules Kounde sat out the match against Rayo Vallecano for being late to a tactical meeting. Flick also told the French international that training sessions aren’t fashion shows. Since September, Kounde and other trend-lovers have had to save their eccentric outfits for off the pitch. At the stadium, it’s full Barca tracksuits for everyone, united as one team. Coincidence or not, Koundc hasn’t had a season this good since his Sevilla days. This Barca side is so distinctly Flick’s, notes Spanish outlet Relevo, that even its attacking trio—the supposed successors of the famed MSN (Messi-Suarez-Neymar)—hasn’t been branded. In fact, there’s no set order. So, even amid media hype over the “new Messi,” Lamine Yamal is thriving in a team-first spirit and healthy atmosphere, Lewandowski is enjoying a second youth, and Raphinha has paired his explosive dribbling with incredible productivity. Barcelona has now scored 146 goals in 49 games this season. Finally, physical conditioning is not up for debate. “I believe it’s extremely important to have a good physical foundation. Deco brought in top professionals” Flick said.”I was mad at Messi. He can hit you in the face if he want to”Laporta shares an anecdote: early on, when he’d ask his new head coach if he was satisfied, Flick would say no—because the team had stopped pressing in the 70th or 80th minute. From today’s perspective, it’s almost unbelievable how the fiery and unpredictable Laporta managed to choose a coach capable of instilling such discipline. But he wanted Flick—“a man worthy of Barca’s bold playing style.” And he got more than he hoped for, to the delight of football fans everywhere.##EDITORS_CHOICE##So, the coach is now tied to a president who, come 2026, will need to prove that—thanks to, or despite—countless financial levers, questionable compliance with fair play rules, and risky moves to avoid crises, he led Barca back onto the right path.“I know the situation at the club, and it’s not simple. One more year, and then we’ll see. Step by step” said Flick after confirming he doesn’t plan to sign for more than one year. However, Catalan media believe the experienced manager is planning a longer project and has already presented Laporta with his conditions: keep the young core, renew Eric García and Frenkie de Jong, and bring in a new striker and goalkeeper. Among his other requests is a facility where players can stay together before matches—avoiding hotels and extending the team’s close bond, which Flick believes is the most vital link for Barca’s success.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 31FridayValencia – Sevilla 1-0 (1-0)/Guerra 45+4/SaturdaySociedad – Mallorca 0-2 (0-1)/Larin 20, Darder 47/Getafe – Las Palmas 1-3 (1-0)/Alderete 19 – Silva 53, 74, McBurnie 62/Celta – Espanyol 0-2 (0-1)/Jaen 28, 63/Leganes – Barcelona 0-1 (0-0)/Saenz 48 og/Sunday15:00: (2.50) Osasuna (3.25) Girona (2.90)17:15: (5.60) Alaves (3.70) Real Madrid (1.65)19:30: (2.35) Betis (3.45) Villareal (2.95)22:00: (1.67) Ath.Bilbao (3.50) Rayo Vallecano (5.80)Monday22:00: (1.15) Atl.Madrid (7.75) Valladolid (19.0)***odds are subject to change***
