Ralf Rangnick talks Flick, Yamal, Laporta, La Masia – ‘Never seen Barcelona play like this’ | OneFootball

In a recent interview with Diario SPORT, Ralf Rangnick has offered his thoughts on multiple topics in the world of football, including FC Barcelona.

Rangnick, the current manager of the Austrian national team, has opened up about his connection to the club, his admiration for its founding principles, and his vision for its future under a new German coach.

On his connection to Laporta

During the interview, it was established that Laporta has a deep respect for Rangnick and footballing philosophy. The German, in fact, had a key role to play in recommending Hansi Flick.

Laporta even asked what it would take to implement it at a club like Barcelona.

“‘That sounds very interesting. And what kind of coaches would you need for that?’ he asked me. And I said, well, we need modern coaches who like to work with young players,” he revealed.

“If you play almost only with young players, as Barcelona do, you have to trust them, I told Laporta. You have to let them run and play like little young wolves. If you just tell them, don’t do that and don’t risk too much, it won’t work.

“If you want to play with young players, you have to take some risks, let them play,” he added.

The relationship with the club’s board didn’t end there, as Rangnick confirms he remains in contact with the vice president.

“Yes. Yuste is still in touch with me, sending me WhatsApp every two months,” he revealed.

On influence of Johan Cruyff and Barça’s identity

Rangnick revealed that the Dutch legend was not only an influence but a childhood idol who shaped his own career.

“I wanted to be like him. I played for one of the clubs in my city. I was the captain of the team. And at that time, players were playing with the numbers 1 through 11. I asked my coach at the time if I could play with the number 14. And I succeeded,” he said.

“So I was the only player on my team who was allowed to play at 14. Johan was, for me, the first modern number ten,” he added.

He believes Cruyff’s greatest legacy at Barcelona was creating a lasting footballing identity that guides the club through every coaching change.

“It was clear that after his playing career, he would likely come to play a vital role at a club, whether as a coach or as a sporting director. His influence on clubs like Ajax and Barcelona was enormous.

“Johan Cruyff’s greatest achievement after his playing career was that, in both clubs, this corporate identity endures. Something that other clubs don’t have,” he said.

Ralf Rangnick has always been a huge fan of Johan Cruyff. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

“Every time Barça change coaches, the new one has to be able to follow the same approach. And always, during the last 15, 25, 30 years, they sign similar players, develop young players from their academy, and never bring in the wrong coach.

“That was one of Cruyff’s greatest achievements, because he established that with each change of coach, it makes no sense to change the approach to football and the style of football. Unfortunately, there are not many Cruyffs currently in the clubs,” he added.

On Hansi Flick and the new high-pressing Barça

Rangnick went on to talk about Hansi Flick and the new identity he has brought to the table at Barça.

Rangnick sees his core philosophies on pressing and verticality already being implemented by Flick and praised the dramatic shift in style.

“The biggest achievement is the style that changed the team’s focus: High line defence, high pressure. I’ve never seen Barcelona play like this, completely different,” he said.

“Hansi trusts and believes in those young high-level players with whom he is playing, with an average age, I don’t know, 23 years old. And yes. And, as I said, Flick trusts and believes in them.

Rangnick has heaped praise on Hansi Flick. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

“He’s like a father figure to a lot of them, and yes, I think he makes quite a few decisions that are relevant for a modern coach. Very much like Jurgen Klopp or me,” he added.

On La Masia

While admitting he hasn’t studied its inner workings, Rangnick acknowledged the undeniable success of Barcelona’s famed academy.

“To be honest, no. What I know is that they sign players at a very young age and develop them in the style that Barcelona wants to play, technical football.

“In detail, I don’t know what they’re doing there, but they obviously do a lot of things right, right?

“The benefits are there, with 8 or 9 players from the academy in the first team. And the Spanish team that played against Portugal had nine U20 players do something similar,” he said.

He sees the youthful core of the current squad as a key to future dominance, if they can be kept together.

“What would happen to Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain in the next 2 or 3 years if they can keep their squad together? If so, I don’t see any team that can beat them in the next few years,” he said.

On Lamine Yamal

Finally, Rangnick, a man renowned for discovering world-class talent, reserved his highest praise for Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal.

“Every century, you have a player like that.

“At only 17 years old, with this maturity… If you see him play, it’s like he’s coming from a different planet. Unbelievable, an incredible player,” he concluded.