Barcelona are set to appoint German manager Hansi Flick as Xavi Hernandez’s replacement next week, after the latter was sacked by the club on Friday afternoon. Flick, 59, has already agreed a deal with the Blaugrana.
There is some debate over whether the deal will be one-year plus an option for an extra one, or if the deal will be for two years. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Flick will bring in two assistants of his choosing, which Christian Falk reports to be Toni Tapalovic and Marcus Sorg. Xavi’s brother and assistant Oscar Hernandez has also been sacked, as is the case for analyst Sergio Alegre.
🚨 BREAKING: Hansi Flick to Barça – here we go! The coach will sign until 2026, and brings two German assistant coaches with him. @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/jgQ4wWfoDX
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 24, 2024
Sport report that Flick’s contract will be around 30% cheaper than that of Xavi in the coming season, which according to previous reports would have Flick earning €5-6m per annum. Flick has told the club that he believes in the current squad to compete for honours, with one or two adjustments, but will not make demands of Sporting Director Deco this summer. He also expressed a commitment to continue trusting La Masia products.
🚨Exclusive News #Flick | Toni Tapalovic and Marcus Sorg will become Flick‘s assistant coaches at @FCBarcelona!
All done with Flick, Tapalovic and Sorg! Contracts until 2026, ready to sign ✔️ @SkySportDE 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/xvS5Lvm1q7
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 24, 2024
Flick has generated division between analysts on whether he is a good appointment. He is just the second manager since Tito Vilanova to be given the job without a past at Barcelona, with Quique Setien and Tata Martino struggling in the role. His record at Bayern Munich was remarkable, but a disappointing 2022 World Cup with Germany has hurt public opinion of him in his home country.
