Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has made an early and bold move even before the official start of pre-season. Cutting his vacation short, Flick returned to Spain on Friday to begin preparations at the Ciutat Esportiva, the club’s training center, ahead of the new campaign.
The squad is scheduled to report next Sunday for medical examinations and physical assessments, marking the formal launch of Barcelona’s pre-season activities.
In the middle of these preparations, Flick is poised to make one of his first major decisions as Barcelona boss, one that could trigger significant changes within the squad. Reports indicate that he intends to demote long-serving goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen from his starting role.
The German shot-stopper, who has been a crucial part of the club for nearly a decade, will reportedly be informed in a private meeting that Joan García is set to be Barcelona’s new number one goalkeeper for the upcoming season. Additionally, veteran Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny is expected to join the squad as García’s understudy.
This decision is expected to spark controversy, as Ter Stegen and his representatives have made it clear that he has no plans to leave the club. Determined to hold onto his position, Ter Stegen is said to be preparing to fight both publicly and internally for his place in Flick’s starting lineup. The conversation between Flick and Ter Stegen is anticipated to be a delicate and defining one, as the coach aims to outline his vision and explain the tough call.
The arrival of Joan García is part of a broader strategy by the Barcelona board and Flick to rejuvenate the squad and build a new era for the club.
García is regarded as a goalkeeper who embodies the attributes Flick demands — remarkable reflexes, superior agility, modern technical skills, and a dynamic presence on the field. These qualities fit neatly into Flick’s tactical system, emphasizing high pressing and quick transitions.
Meanwhile, several issues have reportedly contributed to the club’s shifting stance on Ter Stegen. Besides his history of injury problems, the goalkeeper’s hefty salary and rumored tensions with some teammates in the dressing room have eroded confidence in him among the Barcelona hierarchy. Despite his years of service, the feeling within the club is that Ter Stegen’s time may be coming to an end, and that a fresh start is necessary between the posts.
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