Barcelona recently announced the appointment of former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick as the club’s new manager on a two-year contract. This move came after Xavi Hernández managed his final game with the club on Sunday following his sacking last week. The decision to bring in Flick as the new manager was made official by Barcelona in a statement, mentioning that Flick will be leading the men’s first team football until June 30, 2026.
Hansi Flick, 59, has an impressive coaching background, having previously managed Bayern Munich. His successful tenure at Bayern included winning the Champions League as part of a historic treble in 2020. However, Flick had been out of work since September 2023 when he was fired by the German national team after a disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup. Despite this setback, Barcelona saw potential in Flick and made the decision to bring him on board as the new head coach.
Xavi Hernández, who led Barcelona to a 2-1 victory in his final match against Sevilla, agreed to forgo the final year of his salary, which was estimated to be around €12 million. In addition, six members of his backroom staff were also remunerated for the final year of their contracts, costing around €4 million to the club. The departure of Xavi opened the door for Flick to step in and take charge of Barcelona’s first team, marking a new chapter for the club under his leadership.
Barcelona’s interest in Hansi Flick dates back to 2021 when club president Joan Laporta expressed interest in him while Flick was still managing Bayern Munich. Despite Flick’s commitment to the Germany job at that time, Laporta remained a fan of the German coach. Talks between Barcelona and Flick’s camp intensified after Xavi announced his decision to step down in January, ultimately leading to Flick’s appointment as the new manager.
Xavi Hernández took over as Barcelona’s head coach at the end of 2021, bringing the team from ninth place in LaLiga to a second-placed finish in his first season. He then led Barcelona to their first LaLiga title since 2019 in the following season, along with winning the Spanish Supercopa. However, a trophyless campaign in the subsequent season prompted the club to make a change in leadership, resulting in Xavi’s departure and Flick’s appointment as the new head coach.
Barcelona’s decision to appoint Hansi Flick as the new manager reflects the club’s desire for a fresh start and a new direction. Flick’s wealth of experience and past successes make him a promising choice to lead Barcelona’s first team and guide them to future victories. With Flick at the helm, Barcelona fans can look forward to an exciting new era under his leadership.