Barcelona Confirm Former Bayern Munich Boss Hansi Flick as New Head Coach Following Xavi Hernandez Departure

Barcelona has unveiled Hansi Flick as their new head coach, succeeding Xavi Hernandez. Flick, who previously steered Bayern Munich and the German national team, has inked a two-year contract with the Catalan giants. The 59-year-old carries an illustrious record, including back-to-back Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League win with Bayern as part of a storied treble.

The club announced Flick’s arrival following Xavi’s departure at the close of the 2023/24 season. Despite initially planning to remain, Xavi reversed his decision, departing after a season that saw Barcelona finish second in La Liga, 10 points behind Real Madrid, and exit the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage against Paris Saint-Germain. Flick’s contract extends until June 30, 2026, as confirmed by the club for the 2024/25 campaign.

An excerpt from Barcelona’s official statement read: "FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to be the coach of the men's first team until June 30, 2026. The new coach signed a contract at the club's offices in an event with the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta; the first vice-president in charge of the sports area, Rafa Yuste; and the club's sports director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco."

In a video released by Barcelona on social media, Flick conveyed his enthusiasm: "First of all, I want to express gratitude to everyone involved. It's a significant honor and a dream for me to sign my contract here in Barcelona, to work for this remarkable club, and I'm eager to begin. The club is phenomenal. The hours I've spent in Barcelona have been incredible because everyone here loves this club and strives to give their best for success. The philosophy they embrace aligns with mine—ball possession and truly attacking football, are the elements I cherish. I secured some titles with Bayern Munich, and my appetite for titles remains immense. I aim to continue this journey with Barcelona, and I believe we can achieve great things together."

Flick’s managerial career spans 28 years, having guided the German national team, Bayern Munich, and TSG Hoffenheim. He also served as the sporting director at the German Football Association from 2014 to 2017. Flick took over the German national team after Joachim Low following UEFA Euro 2020, but his tenure concluded abruptly after a disappointing showing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and subsequent defeats.

Before his stint with the national team, Flick returned to Bayern Munich in 2019, where he had played between 1985 and 1990. During his two-year tenure as Bayern's manager, Flick led the team to consecutive Bundesliga titles and a Champions League triumph. His time at Bayern also saw the club win the DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

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