Hansi Flick forces change in Barcelona’s physical department
Hansi Flick is entering his third season at Barcelona and has adopted a more demanding approach to internal decision‑making. He insisted on a change in the club’s physical preparation department before the start of pre‑season. The insistence resulted in the departure of Julio Tous from first‑team duties.
Tous was reassigned to oversee a performance‑focused project connected to Barcelona’s academy and other sporting sections. The move surprised some within the club because Tous previously enjoyed strong backing from influential figures close to the Barcelona hierarchy. Javi Miguel contributed to the coverage of Flick’s firm stance.
Tension between Flick and Tous grew after repeated injury setbacks to Raphinha during his recovery for an early‑season El Clasico. Flick responded by altering rehabilitation methods, reducing the fitness department’s influence and increasing control elsewhere in the recovery process. He has voiced concerns that Barcelona’s physical conditioning may be insufficient to compete consistently with Europe’s elite in the later stages of the Champions League.
One name linked to the vacant first‑team physical preparation role is Holger Broich, a trusted figure from Flick’s time at Bayern Munich. Club officials have cooled speculation on Broich, indicating a preference for a candidate more familiar with Barcelona’s existing structure. A photo by Aitor Alcalde captures Flick’s firm expression.