"He's been a great find for us and he is an absolutely top coach. He's really easy to get along with; he's sensitive with everyone. But he is also very demanding. You can't make him change his plans. He's very German in that sense, but at the same time, like I say, he's also sensitive in how he deals with people. I am really comfortable with him and really happy to have him as Barça's coach."
"There was a really good relationship with Messi, but when we didn't renew [his contract] it broke down. Since then, we have more or less made up. What we hope is that we can give him the homage he deserves back here in Barcelona"
Hansi Flick replaced Xavi Hernández as Barcelona coach and secured LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa in his first season. Joan Laporta likened Flick to Russell Crowe's Gladiator and described him as a top coach who is easy to get along with and sensitive, yet very demanding and firm in his plans. Flick aims to win Barcelona's first Champions League since 2015 after a semifinal exit last season. Laporta expressed a desire to organise a homage for Lionel Messi, noted a previously broken relationship over contract renewal that has mostly been repaired, and placed Johan Cruyff ahead of Messi.
Read at ESPN.com
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