New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is just the second manager in a decade to have taken on the job without some experience of it before becoming manager, either as a player or a staff member. President Joan Laporta has spoken highly of importing some of the ‘German school’ of coaching, but already that is starting to bump up against the supposed style the club prides itself upon.
During a recent interview with club media, Flick positioned himself as a continuist, but also said he would be flexible.
“I’m looking for the same thing as previous coaches, pressing very high and playing in the opponent’s half of the field. It’s the idea I agree with, but it’s about winning.”
“We have our philosophy and our style. We know how we want to play, but every game is a challenge and there can be changes. We can advance a midfielder or change the way we press. We will always be open to modifying small details depending on what the opponent looks for.”
Flick also detailed where he wanted to diverge from the usual Barcelona style.
“Here, the tradition is to touch the ball and put together passes to create space, but I want my players to focus on getting to the goal first and scoring goals. If you have the opportunity to score a goal, score the goal and then we’ll see.”
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Meanwhile there has been a big emphasis on making the side physically stronger in the Catalan press, and he gave physique just as much importance as talent.
“Physicality is just as important as technique and tactics and for me it is crucial to be in good shape, because football is much more than playing with the ball. I have told the players, if you train at 80% you will never be able to perform 100% in the game.”
The former Bayern Munich coach also explained that their pressing would also vary.
“We want to be active with and without the ball. We want to take the opponents to areas where we can win the ball. Sometimes we will press in one way and other times, higher than normal.”
“When we have the ball, the players must feel free to give their best. It is very important to occupy each and every space on the pitch. We like to play with wingers wide, and that the players are aware of everything that happens.”
Flick’s discourse will have raised one or two eyebrows for keen observers within Can Barca. For the vast majority of the time under their last two managers, Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez, amounting to the last four years of Barcelona football, there has been little of putting together strings of passes. Both Koeman and Xavi looked to hit teams on the break, and move forward quickly, which seems to be what Flick is saying he will bring to the side.
