Flick Turned Barcelona into a Family – and Runaway La Liga Champions
Early on Sunday morning, Hansi Flick received a call from his mother informing him that his father, Hansi Sr, had passed away overnight at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness. The day Barcelona were set to win La Liga, with the first clásico back at Camp Nou, had just begun. Flick faced a difficult decision: whether to conceal the news or share it with his team. He chose the latter, viewing his squad as a family. 'I wanted to get the information to my players, and what they did is unbelievable. I will never forget this moment,' he said.
Barcelona's players arrived at the Torre Melina hotel on the Diagonal at midday, where the man many consider a father figure told them about his own father. Hours later, they celebrated a title that felt deeply personal. For the first time in 94 years, the clásico decided La Liga, though Barcelona's dominance had been clear for weeks. Their 2-0 victory over Real Madrid was incontestable, with Madrid players retreating swiftly, relieved the season was over. Fireworks exploded over the stadium as a sardana formed in the centre circle, and a stage was set for the trophy presentation.
The league and federation presidents attended, and Flick addressed the crowd in Catalan before switching to English. Ronald Araújo led a lap of honour, Pau Cubarsí took the megaphone, Raphinha played the drum, and Marc Casadó waved a giant Catalan flag. The players gave Flick the bumps, throwing him in the air. But most of all, they held him close.
This was already Flick's league, and the way it closed made it even more symbolic. He arrived in summer 2024 during a period of economic weakness for Barcelona, a bold move that paid off. Despite registration issues for Dani Olmo, Flick brought fun, enthusiasm, identity, and intensity to the team. They won the league convincingly, but the coach anticipated a tougher second season. The start of 2025-26 seemed to confirm his fears. 'At the start we went through a moment we didn’t want to,' Raphinha admitted.
Barcelona fielded the youngest squad in La Liga, with an average age of 24.25, led by teenager Lamine Yamal. After a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano in August, Flick warned that ego kills success. The team faced challenges: Iñigo Martínez left, Fermín López nearly departed, and injuries plagued key players. Raphinha started only 17 league games, Robert Lewandowski 14, and Pedri just 22. Lamine Yamal missed seven games due to pubalgia, later speaking of his 'internal abyss.' The first clásico in October ended in a 2-1 defeat, with Vinícius Júnior taunting Lamine Yamal.
That night marked a turning point. Xabi Alonso's decision to substitute Vinícius early, and the Brazilian's angry reaction, exposed fault lines in Madrid's camp. Alonso's authority was undermined, and Madrid began to unravel. Barcelona, in contrast, grew stronger. After the Rayo match, Flick emphasized teamwork. Araújo took a mental health break, and Raphinha comforted a distraught Flick after a poor performance against Alavés. 'We know as players we can be better. He feels the team isn’t at its best, but we have time to fix it,' Raphinha said, promising improvement.
Flick's empathetic leadership, shaped by his own upbringing, fostered a collective culture. By the time of the second clásico, Barcelona were 11 points clear. Madrid had collapsed into crisis, while Barcelona won 22 of 24 games. The title was theirs to take.
'We knew we had to give a bit extra for him,' Martín said. 'At the beginning of the day, we just thought about winning for Hansi and his family,' Ferran Torres added. Camp Nou observed a minute's silence and chanted Flick's name. When Marcus Rashford scored, he ran to his manager; Torres did the same. Barcelona finished 14 points clear with three games to go, on course for 100 points.
'Winning two titles in a row is not normal,' Flick said. 'It’s normal for Flick,' Rashford remarked. 'He wins everywhere he goes. But to do it with such a young squad is not so easy.' At full-time, president Joan Laporta embraced Flick, crying. Flick gazed up at the sky, eyes glistening as fireworks burst. He kissed Fermín's cheek and lifted Gavi off the floor. 'He knows how to get the best from these kids,' said interim president Rafa Yuste.
'We dedicate this to him,' Pedri said. 'This is for Hansi and his family,' Cubarsí said. 'He is a father to me,' Gavi said. 'Football gives you family, and for me he’s a father,' Raphinha said. On the pitch, players queued for photos with the cup, while Wojciech Szczesny took penalties. Flick revealed the morning's call: 'I am really proud of everyone. For me, it is really a family, and I appreciate it.'
'In the beginning of the season, I spoke about egos, but I always felt we would come to the top level because I could see training. The most important thing is how they play for each other: it is unbelievable. And the people in Barcelona are really kind to us. This is really the thing I appreciate a lot.' When asked if he had ever felt such love, Flick replied, 'No, never. It is amazing.' He added, 'I am really happy, thanks. This is why I am feeling in the right place, the right time. It was a hard day, but I am proud. You can feel the connection we have, and this is the most important thing in football and in life: that you are connected, that everyone feels part of this family. I will never forget this day, ever.'
