Tag: Hansi Flick

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has extended his contract until June 2027, the Spanish champions said Wednesday.

The German-led Barca to a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in his first year at the helm.

“Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract which will tie him to the club until 30 June 2027,” said Barcelona in a statement.

Flick replaced Xavi Hernandez after Barcelona finished last season without a trophy and has made a quick impact in Catalonia.

The former Bayern Munich and German national team coach originally signed a deal until 2026.

Flick’s Barca have thrilled both in Spain and in the Champions League, where they reached the semi-finals but were knocked out by Inter Milan in a blockbuster tie.

The Catalans have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga matches on the way to winning the title, with the final game of the season on Sunday at Athletic Bilbao.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

A young Barca side, led by a swashbuckling attacking trio of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and veteran Robert Lewandowski, have restored their reputation on the European stage after years of struggle.

Flick continued his own strong record in finals, with victories over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals extending his record to seven won from seven played, five of those with Bayern.

“The excitement that the German has brought to the club in his first year in charge has made Barcelona a feared opponent once again in Europe,” continued the club in their statement.

“Flick has won 43 of the 54 games he has been in charge, a win rate of 73 percent, the best in a first season since Luis Enrique recorded 83 percent.”

Barcelona were not widely considered favourites to win the league after last year’s La Liga and Champions League winners Real Madrid signed French superstar Kylian Mbappe.

However although the former Paris Saint-Germain forward has netted 41 goals, Madrid finish the season without a major trophy.

READ: Andy Balbirnie strucks ton as Ireland thrash West Indies in ODI opener

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made a triumphant start to his tenure on Tuesday as the Spanish giants beat Manchester City on penalties after their pre-season friendly at Orlando finished 2-2 at full-time.

Toni Fernandez, who signed with Barca earlier this month after turning 16, flicked in a left-footed shot past reserve City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to give the German manager’s side a 4-1 win on penalties.

Barcelona kicked off their US tour in the pre-season contest against the four-time reigning Premier League champions, guided by former Barcelona player and coach Pep Guardiola.

A sellout crowd of 63,237 spectators were unhappy early as a storm delayed the start by 80 minutes, but were delighted with a strong early pace before both teams gave reserve players abundant time on the pitch.

Barcelona jumped ahead 3-0 on penalty kicks thanks to a left-footed shot by Alejandro Balde before Amar Ahmed kept City in it by beating reserve Barca goalkeeper Ander Astralaga, setting the stage for the teen newcomer’s heroics.

Pau Victor had opened the scoring in open play for Barcelona in the 24th minute, taking a quick through ball pass from Marc Casado and firing a right-footed blast from the right side into the goal.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Nico O’Riley answered for Manchester City in the 39th minute, firing in a left-footed shot from the left side off a pass from Josko Gvardiol, the Croatian international making his first US tour start.

Pablo Torre’s goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time gave Barcelona a 2-1 half-time lead.

The 21-year-old Spanish midfielder took a centring pass from Gerard Martin at the left wing, nudged the ball to his right, and then blasted a right-footed shot past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson and inside the left post.

Jack Grealish equalized for City in the 60th minute off an impressive fast break.

Croatian international Mateo Kovacic, making his first start on City’s US tour, gathered a loose ball just beyond the City box, split two defenders and raced upfield with the ball before passing to English left winger Grealish, who outraced a defender and finished with an outstanding left-footed shot from a steep angle high into the goal.

Barcelona will continue their US tour with pre-season matches against Real Madrid and AC Milan.

City, who lost earlier US matches to Celtic and AC Milan, will close the US tour by facing Chelsea on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

READ: Kirton’s 74 goes in vain as Bangla Tigers Mississauga edge Toronto Nationals

Barcelona appointed Hansi Flick as coach on Wednesday on a deal until June 30, 2026, after sacking Xavi Hernandez last week.

“FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026,” said the club in a statement.

“The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta.”

Flick, who led German giants Bayern Munich to a historic sextuple in 2020, became the first coach ever to be sacked by the German national team in September 2023 after a string of bad results.

The 59-year-old occasionally watched Barcelona matches this season from the presidential box and was linked with the job after Xavi said in January he would depart at the end of the campaign.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Barcelona and Xavi decided jointly he would stay for next season after all in April but then Laporta changed his mind and sacked the former midfield great last week.

“It won’t be easy at all — they will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job,” Xavi warned his successor last week after winning his final match in charge against Sevilla in La Liga.

“The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not.”

Barcelona finished second in La Liga this season and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.

Spanish media said Laporta was enraged by Xavi’s comments earlier in May when he highlighted the economic difficulties Barca had when competing against Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European elite.

READ: T20 World Cup warm-up: Australia forced to field coach, selector against Namibia