Reason why former World Cup winner was present at Barcelona training facilities - report | Barca Universal

"Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva received an unexpected but very familiar visitor yesterday, 21 November. According to SPORT, former Bayern Munich star and 2014 World Cup winner Jerome Boateng was seen at the club's training facilities early in the morning, but not for the reasons one might initially assume. Boateng, who officially retired from professional football in September, did not arrive to train with the first team. Instead, his presence formed part of a short-term learning stay arranged with Hansi Flick's coaching staff."

"With coaching ambitions now shaping the next phase of his career, Boateng has been granted permission to spend around 10 days at Barcelona in order to observe Flick's working methods up close. A special history In footage shared by Barcelona, Boateng can be seen warmly greeting Robert Lewandowski, his long-time teammate during their seven-year spell together at Bayern Munich. Moments later, he is shown chatting comfortably with Flick, the manager who coached him between 2019 and 2021."

"Boateng recently obtained his UEFA B licence, and between now and January, he plans to complete various internships to build his experience as an aspiring coach. Barcelona are one of the clubs supporting this next chapter, and Flick has been more than willing to open the doors for him. The idea is to give the former defender a realistic, day-to-day view of how a modern elite team is prepared - from tactical planning and video analysis to training-ground routines and staff coordination."

Jérôme Boateng visited Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva on 21 November for a short-term learning stay with Hansi Flick's coaching staff rather than to train with the first team. Boateng retired from professional football in September and is pursuing a coaching career after obtaining his UEFA B licence. He has been granted approximately ten days at Barcelona to observe Flick's methods, tactical planning, video analysis, training routines, and staff coordination. Boateng greeted former Bayern teammate Robert Lewandowski and reunited with Flick, who coached him from 2019 to 2021. He plans to complete several internships between now and January to build practical experience.

Read at Barca Universal