Barcelona has appointed Hansi Flick, former Bayern Munich and Germany national team manager, as their new head coach on a contract that extends until June 2026. This decision comes after the club parted ways with Xavi Hernandez last week. The official announcement was made on Wednesday, with Barcelona expressing confidence in Flick’s ability to lead the team.
“FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026,” the club revealed in a statement. “The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta.”
Flick, who famously led Bayern Munich to a historic sextuple in 2020, was dismissed from his role as the German national team coach in September 2023 following a series of poor results. Despite this setback, Barcelona believes they have acquired a coach with a proven track record of success.
“By bringing Hansi Flick as coach, FC Barcelona have chosen a man well-known for his teams’ high pressing, intense and daring style of play which has brought him great success at club level and international level, winning pretty much all there is to win in the world of football,” the club’s statement read.
The 59-year-old Flick has been seen attending Barcelona matches from the presidential box this season, and speculation about his potential role with the team intensified after Xavi announced in January his intention to leave at the end of the campaign. Although Barcelona initially decided to retain Xavi for another season, a decision made jointly with the coach in April, President Laporta ultimately chose to sack him last week.
Xavi, who finished his tenure with a win against Sevilla, had cautioned that his successor would face significant challenges. “It won’t be easy at all — they will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job,” Xavi warned after his final match in charge. “The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not.”
Under Xavi, Barcelona finished as runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain. Reports suggest that Laporta was particularly frustrated by Xavi’s comments in early May, where he highlighted the financial constraints Barcelona faced in competing with Real Madrid and other top European clubs.
Flick’s appointment represents a strategic move by Barcelona to restore their dominance both domestically and in Europe. Known for his high-energy, pressing style of play, Flick’s coaching philosophy aligns with Barcelona’s tradition of dynamic, attacking football. His previous success with Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and DFL-Supercup, provides a strong foundation for optimism.
However, Flick’s task will not be without its challenges. He inherits a team that has struggled to maintain its elite status amidst financial difficulties and stiff competition. Barcelona’s supporters will be hoping that Flick can replicate his previous successes and navigate the team through this period of transition.
The club’s decision to bring in Flick confirms a commitment to rejuvenating the squad and implementing a winning mentality. His experience and tactical acumen are expected to inject new life into the team, which will be crucial as Barcelona aims to reclaim the Spanish title and make a deeper run in the Champions League.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Hansi Flick and his ability to lead Barcelona back to the pinnacle of European football. The fans, players, and club officials alike will be looking forward to seeing how the German manager shapes the future of one of the world’s most storied football clubs.
