Barcelona confirmed the appointment of Hansi Flick as the new head coach on Wednesday, May 29. The former Bayern Munich and German national team coach arrived at Camp Nou following the sacking of club legend Xavi last week.
Hansi Flick, 59, was linked with the Barcelona job for some months but Xavi's earlier decision to extend the contract put his name off the table. But Xavi's recent remarks over the club's 'poor financial condition' cost him a job with immediate termination of his contract.
Flick was without a coaching job since his sacking from the Germany national team in September last year. The veteran German famously led Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020 and was an assistant coach to Joachim Low who won the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
After signing a contract with Spanish giants, Flick talked about his experience of winning trophies with Bayern Munich and added that he will achieve a lot at Camp
Nou.
"It is a big honour and a dream to sign the contract with this amazing club," Hansi Flick said. "The hours I have been here in Barcelona have been amazing. Everyone here loves this club and gives their best to have success. The philosophy is similar to mine: ball possession and really attacking football, which are things I love. Barcelona also have one of best academies in the world and a good mix between experience and young talent.
"It's our job now to work together and to improve them. For me, the teamwork is really important. I won titles with Bayern. My hunger for titles is really big and I would like to stay on this path with Barcelona. We can achieve a lot together."
Meanwhile, Barcelona beat Sevilla 1-2 in their last league match of the season to finish second in the LA Liga points table. The Catalan club was knocked out by PSG in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League this season but showed improved form in domestic tournaments in the last two months.