Hansi Flick (61) is on the verge of extending his contract with FC Barcelona. The former national team coach did not want to confirm this on Tuesday, but did say that the Catalans would be his “last club”.
FC Barcelona are entering the final phase of the season. In La Liga, the Catalans are heading towards defending their title with a four-point lead over arch-rivals Real, while in the Champions League, the Blaugrana have every chance of reaching the quarter-finals after their 1-1 draw at Newcastle. Only the dream of a treble has already been shattered prematurely due to a narrow failure to catch up against Atletico Madrid (3:0 after 0:4) in the Copa del Rey.
In any case, they are highly satisfied with Hansi Flick’s work in Catalonia. President Joan Laporta has been repeating this over and over again in recent months. Now that he has been re-elected, it seems that the time has come to get down to business. As Laporta publicly confirmed on RAC1 on Tuesday, a signature is imminent: “We will announce the contract extension with Flick shortly. It will be for another season – until 2028.”
Details have already been clarified – and Flick has already agreed. “He is very happy here,” said Laporta. The former national team coach’s contract currently runs until 2027, but there was no confirmation from Flick on Tuesday afternoon. At the press conference ahead of the second Champions League clash with Nick Woltemade & Co. he said: “It’s not the right time. We have a very important game ahead of us. Everyone knows that I feel very comfortable here, but I have to talk to my family first.”
The “right moment” will come. At least a denial sounds different. “I really enjoy working here and am not thinking of going anywhere else. This will be my last club, my last job.”
Laporta visited Flick and his team
Before the important match against Newcastle, Laporta paid a personal visit to Flick and his team. “It’s important to have a structure. We have a good structure that gives us stability,“ explained Flick, who added: ”Everyone was happy about the visit and he wished us luck for tomorrow.”
Wishes were also the key word in Laporta’s closing words in relation to Flick: “I would wish, although the decision is not up to me, that he stays for the entire term. I think that’s possible, as he feels comfortable and is full of energy.”
