Second time lucky – Barcelona president already tried to hire Hansi Flick back in 2021 | OneFootball

This summer saw Hansi Flick arrive at FC Barcelona to replace Xavi Hernandez as the head coach of the first team.

However, this wasn’t the first time his name had surfaced on Joan Laporta’s agenda. Three years ago, Flick was also a candidate for the role when the Barcelona president contemplated replacing Ronald Koeman.

Initial Contact: Summer 2021

Indeed, according to ESport3, a few months after Laporta was elected as president of FC Barcelona, he began considering a change in the coaching staff, despite the team winning the Copa del Rey under then-manager Ronald Koeman.

After the conclusion of the 2020-2021 season, Laporta asked Koeman for two weeks to decide on his future with the club.

Although the Dutchman remained in charge for a few more months, until October, during those two weeks, Laporta explored several options for a new coach, one of whom was Flick.

Laporta tried to hire Flick in 2021. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s sports executives reached out to the 59-year-old German tactician, but encountered a significant hurdle: Flick had just committed to becoming the head coach of the German national team.

In that context, Flick had to decline Barcelona’s offer. The ex-Bayern Munich boss continued as Germany’s head coach until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Three years later, following Xavi’s announcement of his departure from Barcelona’s coaching position, Joan Laporta revisited the idea of bringing Flick to the club.

Ultimately, despite an unexpected turn of events in the final stretch of the previous season, the German tactician accepted Barcelona’s proposal.

This summer’s appointment of Flick signifies not only a strategic move by Laporta but also a culmination of a long-standing interest in the German coach.

With Flick now at the helm, Barcelona fans and management are hopeful for a new chapter of success under his leadership.