Barcelona have confirmed the appointment of German tactician Hansi Flick as the club’s new manager.
The 59-year-old, who was dismissed by Germany in September 2023, has been handed the mantle of leadership at the side, following the exit of Xavi Hernandez on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Flick’s time with the national team of Germany came after he led Bayern Munich to a sextuple during his stint at the club.
Hansi Flick guided the Bavarian giants to the German Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
Flick has signed a two-year deal with the Blaugrana side, which runs until June 30, 2026.
Hansi Flick Statement After He Was Appointed As Manager Of Barcelona
Speaking after he was appointed Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick expressed that it is a “big honor and dream” for him to be made boss of the Spanish side.
He said: “It’s a big honor, a dream for me to sign my contract here.
“We won some titles with Bayern Munich and my hunger is really big for titles.”
The former assistant boss of Germany also shared that the philosophy of Barcelona is similar to his, and he is aiming to achieve much with the Spanish side.
Hansi Flick added: “I would like to stay on this path with Barcelona and I think we can achieve a lot together and this is an important thing.
“The philosophy they have is similar to mine, lots of possession and really attacking football and these other things I love.”
Hansi Flick Replaces Xavi Hernandez
Moreover, departing Barcelona gaffer Xavi Hernandez, who was booted out a month after the team confirmed he would remain as manager of the side, recently expressed that his successor will “suffer” in the role.
Xavi, 44, led Barcelona to La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup title in the 2022/23 season and they were hoping to build on the success of that term in the 2023/24 campaign.
Unfortunately, they ended the league season 10 points adrift of rivals and eventual winners Real Madrid.
Reports indicate that the Catalan giants opted to dismiss him due to comments he made in a presser ahead of their clash against Almeria on May 16, 2024.
The former Al-Sadd boss expressed that the Blaugrana side cannot compete with Real Madrid due to their financial strength, whilst also claiming that Barcelona never planned to sign youngster Vitor Roque.
Xavi Hernandez’s assertions apparently infuriated the hierarchy of Barcelona and they decided to get rid of him at the end of the campaign.
Why Did Barcelona Appoint Hansi Flick?
Via a statement on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Barcelona revealed the reason why they went for Hansi Flick.
The club stated that they opted for Flick because he is “a man well known for his teams’ high pressing, intense and daring style of play which has brought him great success at club level and international level, winning pretty much all there is to win in the world of football”.
