If the door of Hansi Flick’s office greeted visitors with a motto, it could well be: “Delighted to be here.” What for other coaches could be a torture that changes their mood or even adds years to their age, for the German is a joy. True, he is not always radiant. True, he gets angry when his players do not offer what he expects from them. True that on the sidelines he gets upset at refereeing decisions he considers unfair. But, in general terms, he much more frequently shows a smile, a hug, words of encouragement, and optimism. Values that are recognized in him and that make him a true idol for the fans and almost a father to his young protégés. The fans and players have comforted him in these difficult days for him, as his father passed away on Sunday. Even so, he remained at the helm.
As things are going well, Flick continues to speak in English at his public appearances and remains very strict regarding various rules, such as punctuality, although the influence of the Mediterranean character has led him to nuance or adapt them in consensus with his players. For example, when he accepted that being late would not result in being benched, as happened the previous season, but rather a financial fine. The basics remain the same, but he adds nuances. Something similar has happened with the pattern of his football. The vertigo, the attack, the high defensive line, and the exchange of blows have continued to be the order of the day but not always nor as accentuated as in his first campaign.
The coach has known how to find solutions to injuries without the team losing its identity
If on his arrival he managed to multiply the performance of most of the players who were already at the club, in his consolidation season he has found solutions to add another League title that has not been easy at all. It has been marked by difficulties, especially a series of injuries to important men. Joan Garcia, Pedri, De Jong, Raphinha, or Lamine Yamal have been in the infirmary, several of them more than once. Setbacks that, along with Lewandowski’s drop in performance and Iñigo Martínez’s departure, have caused Barça to suffer ups and downs in their play. But in the end, Flick has found the key for his team to remain solid.
Thus, the German pulled out of the hat the emergency solution of placing Gerard Martín as left center-back, and he has ended up being the starter alongside Cubarsí. He has also made the most of Eric Garcia’s versatility and has made Cancelo very useful, who arrived on loan amid general skepticism and has ended up as the starting left-back in the decisive weeks of the championship. Three examples to remember that Flick has turned necessity into virtue in a club that continues to have financial problems and difficulties signing and, above all, registering players.
Another coach would have used the press room to criticize the management. But Flick takes his loyalty to Joan Laporta and his good understanding with Deco to the highest standards. He did not hide when he supported candidate Laporta on various occasions during the electoral process and appeared alongside the now elected president casting his vote on election day.
That is why Flick will continue at Barça beyond his current contract, which expires in 2027. He has stated that Barcelona is his last professional stage.
He is 61 years old but before hanging up the board he wants to lead a Barça with a long journey ahead to achieve the much-desired Champions League. He has established a foundation and a roadmap and knows he has enormous potential in his hands. Two years generating near unanimity in Barcelona fandom is a fact worth noting. The coach’s romance with the club and its fans is mutual.
