Barcelona’s Identity Crisis: Will Hansi Flick Be the Solution?

By now, the news has reached the other end of the globe: Xavi’s successor is Hansi Flick, who signed a two-year contract. This announcement came just a few days after the Catalan club revealed that club legend Xavi Hernández would not continue despite earlier statements suggesting that the two parties would remain together. While there is excitement about Barcelona choosing a German coach, there is also a portion of the fanbase that is unhappy about Flick’s arrival.

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The Context of Hansi Flick’s Arrival

Hansi Flick arrives at a troubled time for Barcelona – his chaotic announcement video symbolizes the current state of the Catalan club. The situation is messy because parting ways with Xavi Hernández was not easy. The Catalan himself announced in early 2024 that he would not continue.

Reports claimed that club president Joan Laporta begged the legendary midfielder to stay, and he eventually agreed. However, following disastrous results and a failed campaign by all measures, rumours circulated that Laporta wanted to sack Xavi. These were denied by Xavi himself, until a week later, the announcement was official: Xavi and Barcelona had parted ways.

This is the context in which Hansi Flick arrives at the club. 

His previous stints include serving as an assistant to the DFB (German National Team) and later coaching Bayern to a sextuple during the COVID season. However, he soon parted ways with the Bavarian club due to a lack of convincing results and disputes over transfers with Bayern’s board.

This could potentially be an issue at Barcelona, as Xavi and Deco were said to have clashed over several transfers.

A Different Coach

Hansi Flick comes with a radically different approach from all previous Barcelona coaches. This is the first time the Catalan club has hired a German coach since Udo Lattek (1981-1983), who won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup at the time. This means Flick is the second German to coach Barcelona in the club’s history, indicating a potential identity crisis. The traditional reliance on Spanish coaches (and Dutch influences) seems to be faltering.

Doubts surrounding Flick’s cultural fit are valid, as the German spirit of directness may clash with the local culture. Additionally, for the first time in decades, Barcelona’s coach does not speak Spanish – necessitating a translator. While Ter Stegen could potentially fill this role, the situation remains unclear.

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Why Doubts Surround Hansi Flick

Another potential concern is Flick’s playing style. Although his coaching experience is limited, his stint at Bayern Munich clarified his methodology. 

Bayern often set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a double-pivot usually consisting of Kimmich and Goretzka. The German would have preferred to have a fit Thiago Hernández, who eventually left for Liverpool. 

Kimmich and Goretzka might have been solid, but they also drew criticism for their lack of well-rounded profiles. Kimmich was originally a right-back who eventually became a midfielder, and his defending has been a problem for many fans. Nobody would doubt his offensive value, given the range and accuracy of his passes. 

The problem is that his partner – Goretzka – was the complete opposite. He was criticized for his lack of agility and reliance on physicality to stop counter-attacks. Together, they offered some balance but also had clear limitations. Kimmich often ended up as the lone pivot, leading in poor results where Bayern couldn’t sustain pressure.

Critics from Barcelona are concerned about Flick’s emphasis on vertical football. Given Spain’s football philosophy differs from Germany’s – preferring a more positional, rigid version of football – it poses many questions about how Flick will adapt his style. 

Additionally, there are questions about who Flick will bring from his staff, especially regarding the physical staff. Bayern’s fitness coaches are known for their physical transformations, which could mean that Dr Pruna might not continue at Barcelona. 

Injuries have plagued the club for the past five years, so it remains to be seen if Flick’s staff can address this issue.

The Financial Reality as a Problem

One of the greatest puzzles Flick will have to solve is whether he can be flexible enough to adapt his German philosophy to the realities of Barcelona’s squad. 

Financial Fair Play (FFP) still has Barcelona in a chokehold, meaning that the club is not yet under the 1:1 rule. Sales are necessary for the Catalans to proceed with any further purchases. 

Many players might not be suited to the vertical style Flick employed at Bayern Munich, raising the question of whether he can adopt a different approach. This question will likely persist at the club. 

While Barcelona should sustain pressure, integrating elements of Germany’s gegenpressing could benefit the club’s methodology. Certain players like Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Alejandro Balde and Raphinha seem well-suited to Flick’s plans. 

However, for others, the fit is less clear. Robert Lewandowski is already familiar with Flick, but he may find himself on the periphery due to his age and the possibility of the club seeking a better solution.

Flick’s Critical Challenge Ahead

Hansi Flick’s arrival at the club signals a period of uncertainty. It is clear is that the German coach will need to develop a new style because the style implemented at Bayern München is bound to fail at Barcelona. However, this does not mean that he cannot integrate certain concepts. The team has lacked a functional structure off the ball for years. 

In Germany, Flick requested power over the transfers, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta is unlikely to grant him such authority. Flick will have to understand the club’s financial reality and that he cannot replicate the same brand of football he previously employed. This appointment is likely Laporta’s last gamble – if it fails, he could face a motion of censure.

Flick must find a new identity for Barcelona, who currently resemble a ship without a rudder despite having a great academy. During his presentation, the German mentioned La Masia as a cornerstone, as he understands the importance of the academy to the culers. 

For Flick, this may be his last chance to coach at the elite level. Despite his success with the sextuple at Bayern, failing at Barcelona could deter other top clubs from hiring him. This is a move of uncertainty, where all parties have a lot to win and even more to lose.

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