In Klopps & Schuster’s footsteps
© Imago
Hansi Flick could hardly have imagined his first year at FC Barcelona much better. Supercopa and Copa del Rey have already won, the championship could follow on the sofa on Wednesday or at the latest in the city derby against Espanyol in front of their home backdrop in Thursday and the extension of the contract that runs until 2026 is only a matter of the time of the announcement.
Spanish media had already reported a new working paper until 2027 weeks ago. Finally, “Sky” said that only the last details were to be clarified and an oral agreement had been reached. The new contract should be signed promptly.
Flick has conquered Barcelona in the storm-literally, because the cracking of the 100 goal mark in Laliga is also absolutely realistic with 95 shot in 35 out of 38 games. “I have my own mentality, like to work for this club, the best in the world. And I really appreciate what I have,” he said recently.
Flick convinces his critics – in Klopps & Schuster’s footsteps
As soon as he has the title, Flick is a ranks of just three German coaches who won a championship in a top 5 league outside of Germany: Bernd Schuster with Real Madrid, Thomas Tuchel with PSG and Jürgen Klopp with FC Liverpool. Franz Beckenbauer won the title in France with Olympique Marseille, but was only a coach until the end of the year and ended the season as a technical manager.
The third German coach of the Catalans after Hennes Weisweiler and Udo Lattek has long since convinced the critics of his obligation. Iván Fuente, Content Manager for Transfer market in Spain, explains: “He did what predecessor Xavi did: to keep the ‘Barça style’ and at the same time give the players from La Masia a chance. Of course it is easier if you win, but Xavi has also become master and he did not try to let his team press higher and The playing style may be a little more direct, but the essence of the Barça tradition can be seen. “
Especially in the further development of some players who were already there under XAVI, Flick has a large part, says Fuente: “He has Raphinha’s self -confidence and the necessary role in playing out his class.” The 28-year-old Brazilian is now one of the top candidates on winning the balloon d’Or. “He also managed to give Robert Lewandowski more breaks without this being a problem for the game or the results. The final explosion Lamine Yamals and his cabin management are also highly offset. Scored 20 goals. “
For a long time it didn’t look like that the season would be so successful. Barcelona won eleven of the first twelve season games and marched through the Champions League league. From the beginning of November to the end of December, Flick with the team also experienced a phase with six games without a win in Laliga, three defeats and the case in third place. “Barça’s season had her turning point at the turn of the year, after the defeat against Atletico in Montjuic (1: 2; editor’s note),” said Spain expert Fuente. “If the team had lost the Supercopa at the beginning of January, it might have collapsed. But she recovered, put an enormous series of success, delighted in the Champions League despite the emotional departure against Inter and developed a defensive security that made it possible for her to achieve the national triple.”
“Most very high”: Flicks challenges in Barcelona
The extension by 2027 is accompanied by expectations that Flick can hold or even expand the success in Barcelona. The Champions League was already within reach this season, the reaction to the gap against Inter in both games. The fact that Lamine Yamal and Co. did not bring the advantage in the second leg over time should also be attributed to a lack of rip -off. The German coach has to work on this, but also, according to Fuente, the challenges are very great.
“He has put the bar very high. It is unlikely that Real Madrid will play another season in the league again like this one, in which it easily lost points and Barça four times, partly clearly, was lost. Barça’s strength is the ability to score many goals, but Lewandowski is getting older … Will Ferran be able to take on his role?”
The TM expert in future connects future success of Barcelona and Flicks with a further stabilization of the defensive: “Barça has often stood with his back to the wall this season and has always come back, which cannot always be maintained. It is difficult to win titles if you concede easily. In the past ten years there was only one master who has conceded more than Barça this season. The turn of the year will also have to get your goal.
If Flick finds answers to these questions, nothing stands in the way of successful further cooperation in Barcelona.