Barcelona Ink Hansi Flick To Two-Year Contract

Barcelona has confirmed the appointment of Hansi Flick as the club’s new manager, signing him on a two-year contract. The 59-year-old former Bayern Munich and Germany coach steps in to replace Xavi Hernández, who departed from the club earlier on Wednesday following his sacking last week.

Club Statement and Contract Details: “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 stated.

Xavi’s Departure: Xavi’s final match in charge was a 2-1 victory against Sevilla in LaLiga. As part of his exit, he agreed to forgo the final year of his salary, which sources revealed was approximately €12 million gross. However, he will be compensated for a substantial portion of the €2.5 million he personally paid to secure his departure from Al Sadd in 2021. Additionally, Barça will cover the final year of contracts for his six backroom staff members at an estimated cost of €4 million.

Flick’s Background: Flick has been without a managerial role since last September after being dismissed by the German national team due to a poor run of results, including a group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup. Before his tenure with Germany, Flick enjoyed tremendous success with Bayern Munich, leading the team to a historic treble, including the Champions League title, in 2020.

Barcelona’s Long-Standing Interest: Barcelona’s interest in Flick dates back to 2021. Club president Joan Laporta had previously inquired about Flick’s availability while he was still managing Bayern Munich. At that time, Flick had already committed to the Germany job. Despite this, Laporta maintained contact with Flick’s representatives, especially after Xavi announced in January that he would step down.

Recent Developments: Flick’s chances of joining Barcelona seemed uncertain last month when it was indicated that Xavi would fulfill his contract until 2025. However, the situation changed following comments made by Xavi about the club’s financial struggles, which did not sit well with Laporta. Sources indicated that Laporta was never fully convinced by Xavi, leading to his dismissal last week. Xavi expressed his respect for the decision, though he wished for different circumstances.

Xavi’s Achievements and Challenges: Xavi took over from Ronald Koeman at the end of 2021, lifting the team from ninth place to a second-place finish in LaLiga during his first campaign. He guided Barcelona to a LaLiga title in the 2022-23 season and won the Spanish Supercopa. However, a trophyless season this time prompted the club to seek new leadership.

Flick’s arrival marks a new chapter for Barcelona as they aim to regain their spot at the top of La Liga under the guidance of a seasoned manager with a proven track record.

Image courtesy Deposit Photos.