Barcelona sporting director Deco has reportedly contacted Hansi Flick over the possibility of replacing Xavi Hernandez this summer.
According to reputed German journalist Christian Falk, Hansi Flick is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are scouring the managerial market for their next head coach. And they have contacted the former Bayern Munich manager through Deco, with Joan Laporta keen on appointing him.
Hansi Flick has had a bizarre managerial career thus far. A former Bayern Munich and FC Koln midfielder, the 58-year-old began his coaching career with Victoria Bammental in 1996. His next job came at TSG Hoffenheim before serving Red Bull Salzburg, the German national side, and Bayern Munich as the assistant manager.
Bayern Munich appointed Flick as the replacement for Niko Kovac in 2019 after the latter received his marching orders. And the move proved to be a masterstroke, with the German tactician guiding the Bavarian giants to the treble in the 2019/20 season.
Bayern Munich also won the Bundesliga in the 2020/21 season under Flick’s guidance. But the 58-year-old surprisingly called time on his stint with the German champions in 2021, ending his spell with an extraordinary win rate of 81% at the Allianz Arena. His next managerial stint came with Germany.
Die Mannschaft appointed him as Joachim Low’s successor in 2021, and hopes were high when he became Germany’s head coach. But Flick struggled to translate his success at the club level on the international stage. Germany bowed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the group stage before he lost his job last year after a poor run of form.
But Hansi Flick remains in high demand, with the managerial world experiencing a shift. His next destination might be Barcelona, with Joan Laporta pushing for his arrival at the club. Barcelona will lose Xavi Hernandez at the end of the 2023/24 season, with the 44-year-old growing disillusioned with the job. So, the Catalan giants are scouring the market for a replacement, with Flick emerging as the top target.
The report has claimed that Deco has contacted the treble-winning coach to replace Xavi. Interestingly, Barcelona also tried landing Flick in 2021 before failing to secure his services. Nonetheless, they might succeed three years later, although the move is still in the early stages.
