FC Barcelona experiencing confusion, with Flick in the midst of it.
The rumor mill is churning out stories about Hansi Flick being the next coach for FC Barcelona, but it's unclear if Xavi is aware of his departure. Despite having just announced his retirement, Flick's remarks about the team's quality have reportedly led to friction.
A few days ago, Xavi mentioned that "we need to talk somehow", given the unusual circumstances at the Catalan club ahead of their match against Sevilla FC on Sunday night. The FC Barcelona hierarchy is in a state of turmoil, and Hansi Flick finds himself in the thick of it.
Xavi unexpectedly retired as coach in spring 2021, despite having a contract until 2025. This change did not come without some grumbling, but Xavi suddenly resigned in April. Club president Juan Laporta no longer seems interested in Xavi. Speculation about his dismissal after the Sevilla match has been swirling for days.
So, how does Hansi Flick factor into this confusing situation? Reports allege that Flick has reached a verbal agreement with Barça and will be announced as their new coach on Monday. According to several sources, including "Mundo Deportivo", a crucial phone conversation took place between Flick and Barça's sporting director, Deco, on Wednesday. Contract details like duration are still under wraps, with potential options for a one-year contract with an extension possibility in the works. Flick was even considered a candidate in January and has been learning Spanish in anticipation of this role.
Flick's representative, Pini Zahavi, has a good relationship with Laporta. The former national coach, who hasn't worked since being let go by the DFB in September 2023, has a strong reputation since guiding Bayern to a six-pointer and an impressive 8-2 victory over Barça in the 2020 Champions League quarterfinals in Spain.
While there are numerous rumors, Xavi said he was at ease after their recent win over Rayo Vallecano. "I have been given some reassurance," he said. "Nothing has been announced or changed on my end. If there's news, we'll make it known."
In the midst of all this, Xavi's public complaints about the team's competitiveness with players like Marc-André ter Stegen, İlkay Gündoğan, and Robert Lewandowski as well as the financial instability of the club may have irked Laporta. Xavi stated that they will fight for all the trophies while harboring hope and ambition, but acknowledged that the situation was not ideal. The club is said to be putting in "a lot of effort to change this state."
This tumultuous season saw FC Barcelona finish second in the league and without a title. Xavi, who has played 767 games for Barça and won the Champions League four times alone, managed to win the Spanish Super Cup and the league title the previous year. What does the future hold for FC Barcelona? It seems they might have some conversations to have.
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Source: www.ntv.de
