Barcelona officially appoints Hansi Flick as new manager, replacing Xavi on a two-year deal

Hansi Flick has signed a two-year contract with Barcelona, officially becoming the club's new manager until 2026.

May 29, 2024

Hansi Flick Officially At Barcelona — ANP via Getty Images

The German manager Hansi Flick signed his contract in Barcelona’s club offices on Wednesday, marking the start of a new era at the Catalan club. Flick has committed to leading the team until 2026, following the agreement of a two-year contract after extensive discussions with sporting director Deco and club president Joan Laporta.

As reported by BBC Sport, Barcelona began talks with Flick “at least two months ago,” and there had been a preliminary agreement in place for a considerable period. This timeline indicates that Barcelona was already in contact with Flick when they persuaded Xavi to extend his tenure until 2025 in late April.

Barcelona released an official statement confirming Flick’s appointment: “FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026. The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta; first vice president responsible for the sporting area, Rafa Yuste and the Club’s sporting director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco. By bringing Hansi Flick as coach, FC Barcelona have chosen a man well known for his teams’ high pressing, intense and daring style of play which has brought him great success at club level and international level, winning pretty much all there is to win in the world of football.”

Flick famously led Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020, securing the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League titles. However, his subsequent tenure with the German national team was less successful, culminating in their elimination during the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.

Flick’s mandate at Barcelona includes implementing a “new structure” to challenge Real Madrid for supremacy in Spain and Europe. He is expected to soon meet with Deco to discuss potential new signings for the upcoming season to build a squad capable of returning to the pinnacle of football.