The images of Hans-Dieter Flick in an FC Barcelona training jersey still don’t seem quite so real. Flick was delighted with his club after his first few days in Spain – but still has some demands
Ten days ago, Hansi Flick stepped onto the FC Barcelona pitch for the first time as coach and welcomed not only 28 players, but also assistant coach Heiko Westermann and Thiago, who is set to prove himself as an assistant at the Blaugrana shortly after retiring from his career.
So there’s a lot going on for 59-year-old Flick, who summed up his first few days with the Spanish newspaper Marca. “It’s incredible what we’re experiencing here. Everyone shows us respect,” he said. He is delighted with the club, the quality of the players and the promotion of young talent, said the former national team coach.
“Have to get a player who can win games “
Despite the undoubtedly high quality in the squad, Flick, who will be without Ronald Araujo for months, is still hoping for one or two new additions. “We have to get a player who can win games,” Flick demands of his famously cash-strapped club. Together with sporting director and club legend Deco, Flick wants to “increase the quality of the team – and that’s the most important thing.”
This would require transfers worth millions, however; Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig and Nico Williams, who excelled at the European Championship, are being discussed. It is not yet known how Barca will manage these commitments
Flick wants to exemplify “passion and dedication “
But even without new signings, Flick is enthusiastic about his new club for now: “I can feel the passion of the people from day one. Of the fans. From everyone,” says Flick, who senses the “passion and dedication” of all the Catalans’ employees. It is precisely these virtues that he wants to exemplify with his coaching team: “We want to give everything we have to take this club to the next level. We will give our best,” promised Flick.
The first major challenge awaits Flick, Westermann and Co. at the end of July, when the European Championship players will also be part of the squad: the trip to the USA includes test matches against England’s champions Manchester City, Champions League winners Real Madrid and Italy’s runners-up AC Milan. The new La Liga season then kicks off for Barcelona on August 17 with a tough away game at Valencia FC.