Barcelona Appoints Hansi Flick As New Head Coach

FC Barcelona has appointed Hansi Flick as their new head coach on a contract running until 30 June 2026, following the dismissal of Xavi Hernandez last week.

In an official statement, the club announced, “FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026.

“Flick signed the contract at the club’s offices, with FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta in attendance.”

Flick is renowned for his successful tenure at Bayern Munich, where he led the team to a historic sextuple in 2020. Despite his achievements, he became the first coach to be dismissed by the German national team in September 2023 after a series of disappointing results.

The 59-year-old had been spotted occasionally in the presidential box at Barcelona matches this season, fueling speculation about his potential appointment. This speculation intensified after Xavi Hernandez indicated in January that he would leave at the end of the campaign.

Although Barcelona and Xavi initially agreed in April that he would stay on for another season, Laporta reversed this decision, leading to Xavi’s dismissal last week.

Following his final match, a victory against Sevilla in La Liga, Xavi offered a candid assessment of the challenges ahead for his successor. “It won’t be easy at all; they will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job,” Xavi stated. “The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not.”

Barcelona ended this season second in La Liga and were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals. Tensions reportedly flared between Xavi and Laporta after Xavi highlighted the economic challenges Barcelona faces compared to Real Madrid and other European elites.

As Hansi Flick steps into his new role, he will aim to steer Barcelona back to the pinnacle of both domestic and European football.

(AFP)

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