Hansi Flick tells staff he plans to leave Barca
Barcelona’s volatile season has taken another dramatic turn, with reports suggesting head coach Hansi Flick is preparing to walk away at the end of the campaign.
The German is said to be frustrated by player attitudes and a perceived lack of backing from the club’s hierarchy, issues that have reportedly come to a head over the handling of teenage star Lamine Yamal.
Growing disillusionment
According to Spanish outlet ABC, Flick has privately told his close staff that he intends to leave Barcelona once the season ends, citing exhaustion and deep disappointment with the atmosphere inside the squad.
Initially hired to oversee a three-year rebuild, Flick is now said to feel alienated by what he considers a decline in professionalism and team unity.
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Despite moments of promise, he has reportedly been troubled by players he believes lost the humility that once defined them.
The coach’s concerns extend beyond results. His dissatisfaction centres on what he sees as a cultural erosion within the dressing room, a squad distracted by fame, social media, and self-promotion instead of collective ambition.
Over recent months, Flick has shared these concerns with his assistants, expressing doubts about his ability to reverse the trend.
Trouble surrounding Yamal
At the centre of this internal conflict stands 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, whose immense talent has been overshadowed by questions over attitude and discipline.
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According to ABC, Flick is dismayed by the club’s leniency toward the young forward, who has allegedly been granted special treatment during trips and recovery periods.
Tensions reportedly rose after several incidents, including Yamal’s decision to travel to Milan after a defeat against Real Madrid rather than fly home with teammates, and commercial shoots undertaken while recovering from a groin injury.
Smaller issues, such as using staff-only golf carts or dining apart from teammates, have further widened the rift.
Yamal also drew unwanted attention when he mocked Real Madrid on Twitch, saying, “Real Madrid steal, they complain…”, a remark that angered several Madrid players and embarrassed Barcelona officials.
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His public breakup with singer Nicki Nicole has added to off-field distractions, reinforcing concerns that his focus has drifted away from football.
Clash of philosophies
For Flick, the dispute runs deeper than discipline, it’s about values. The coach reportedly believes that Yamal’s recent drop in form stems from poor recovery habits and waning responsibility.
Flick’s strict methods and focus on collective accountability have clashed with the club’s more indulgent approach to its young stars.
While Flick has maintained cordial relations with president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, significant philosophical differences persist. The German’s belief in rigid professionalism contrasts sharply with the board’s preference for flexibility and image management.
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The club argues that patience is necessary with such a young player, but Flick warns that permissiveness undermines team culture. His message has remained consistent since September: “Egos kill success.” Those words, according to ABC, have become a refrain among his coaching staff.
Uncertain future
Despite widespread speculation, Flick’s exit is not yet confirmed. Sources close to the manager told ABC that a turnaround in results, particularly a strong finish or a major trophy, could still change his mind.
Football, as his assistants note, can shift quickly with momentum. A winning streak or Champions League triumph might yet convince Flick to fulfil his three-year plan.
For now, uncertainty dominates the corridors of the Camp Nou. A fractured dressing room, an exhausted coach, and a distracted prodigy have thrown Barcelona back into familiar chaos, leaving Flick’s project on the edge of collapse.
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Sources: ABC, Reuters, AP, BBC
