When Barcelona coach Hansi Flick welcomes his players back for pre-season training today, the German will get an idea of the surreal situation he is inheriting. The initial stages of pre-season are important for any coach coming into a new club, new league and new language. It is an opportunity for them to communicate how they want the team to play, prepare them physically for a long campaign and set in place behaviours and processes which could be crucial to any success.
Advertisement But, given the circumstances, it is going to be difficult — if not impossible — for Flick to hit the ground running in the way he would like after replacing Xavi in May . Most key Barca first-team players are still playing at the European Championship in Germany or Copa America in the United States, or have just gone on holiday after representing their country this summer. Other important squad members are injured or working their way back to fitness after long-term absences.
Barca have a €100million ($108m; £85m) hole in their 2023-24 accounts, which means they can’t sign anyone or even register some current players. Many squad players are well aware that club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are doing everything they can to get them to leave. GO DEEPER Barcelona squad audit: Big transfers are unlikely, so who does Flick have to work with? All this means Flick is likely to start work with nine senior players — none of whom are expected to be in his first-choice XI a.
