Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has made it clear that he plans to stay at the club for at least another two years, despite ongoing talks about a potential contract extension. He also shared his thoughts on their Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid, calling the loss “very painful.”

For the second year running, Barcelona faced a tough Champions League exit, suffering partly because they failed to secure a home win in the first leg. Flick, speaking before Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga match, emphasised the need to turn that disappointment into motivation.

“This is a journey for me, especially with such a young team. These kinds of eliminations happen, and yes, it hurts deeply. Going out in that manner was really tough. We need to improve not just for the next few matches but also looking ahead to the next season as well. It has to fuel us more. Small details matter, just small things, but I also think we played really well in those games. I’m truly proud of the team. Now, the focus shifts to La Liga. We want to win it, but it’s still far from over.”

“We’ve got some points on the board, but winning is essential. La Liga is a tough league; there’s no simple path. We have to bring the same energy as we did against Atletico: giving everything for the fans, the club, and ourselves. When the team makes us proud, everyone’s happier. Exiting the Champions League stings, but it also fuels our energy for what’s ahead.”

In recent weeks, rumours have circulated about Flick having a verbal agreement to extend his contract through 2028, aligning with the completion of the Camp Nou renovations. Flick gave a hint of his long-term vision.

“It’s a big dream for me. Two things stand out: winning the Champions League and having a fantastic team in the coming years. I keep saying we have to be smart during transfer windows, no rash decisions. We need to be as precise as we can. The squad is young and full of potential, and the structure here supports that.”

“The other goal? To be the coach when the new stadium is finished. Of course, football is unpredictable, and who knows what will happen, but I’m putting in the work with my staff, the club, and the fans. I’m really happy here. It feels like a family, and I consider myself lucky to be part of this. Despite going out of the Champions League, it’s part of the process. Now we have to focus on what we can achieve this season, and I don’t think it’s as bad as it seems.”

Flick was keen to keep the spotlight on their La Liga ambitions, avoiding distractions from contract talks.

“This is my plan, as I’ve said before. This feels like the last step in my career, and right now, it feels good. I want to renew, but the timing isn’t right to discuss that before our big goals over the next few weeks.”

Regarding the mood in the squad after the Champions League loss, Flick sounded optimistic.

“La Liga is the only competition left, and winning it would mean a lot. We had a couple of days off to clear our heads, so the energy and atmosphere feel fantastic now. But that has to translate onto the pitch in the final seven games. We’ll take it game by game, step by step. This is also a time to learn from the mistakes that led to our defeats. I can feel the team spirit is strong.”

“When I arrived, nobody expected us to have four titles under our belt already. That’s a great achievement. It’s not just about trophies; the way we play football matters too. The club is pleased, the players are happy, and the president reminded me that it’s about style, not just wins, and I consider that a success.”

On some of the issues that contributed to their exit, like the lack of clinical finishing and defensive vulnerabilities, Flick pointed out the impact of missing key players.

“In these decisive matches, momentum and tiny details make a difference. By March, at the season’s end, having every player available is crucial. We missed Frenkie and Raphinha, which is significant, but it’s not an excuse; other teams face this too and have to manage.”

Defensively, Barcelona appeared more exposed than last season, in part due to Inigo Martinez’s absence. Flick stressed the need for leadership on the pitch.

“Last season, we had Inigo, who was a great leader. That’s something we’re still working on: players stepping up to lead during matches, communicating, organising by a meter or two, and telling each other what to do. Training is positive, but in Champions League matches, that leadership is vital. The team is young, and we’ll teach some players to take on those responsibilities.”

Reflecting on his time at Barcelona so far, Flick described it as the highlight of his career.

“I’ve enjoyed great periods with Jogi Löw in the national team, and at Bayern Munich, and with other clubs. But this? It’s the best time of my career and, honestly, of my life. My family enjoys being here, my coaching staff is happy, and the players have fantastic chemistry. The fans’ dream is to win the Champions League, and hopefully we’ll get there next year. We’ll keep trying, over and over.”

Barcelona will be back in action against Celta Vigo on Wednesday night, aiming to return to winning ways at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona really looked like they were about to snatch a late goal against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals last week. Everything was set for a dramatic finish, but that just wasn’t in the cards.

Right when it felt like Barcelona were gearing up for one last push, Eric Garcia got sent off for a foul that honestly seemed pretty minimal; he wasn’t even the last man back. It fit the tone of the night, though. The referee’s decision didn’t shock anyone. It just felt like another blow in a game where everything went against Barcelona, and once Garcia was off, there was no coming back.

Garcia talked about all of this at a recent event. He spoke to the press and opened up about the red card and how the refereeing seemed to change everything.

“In these competitions, you need a bit of luck. It just wasn’t going our way at all,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

He didn’t blame the referees for everything, but he admitted there were some strange calls he couldn’t wrap his head around. When someone asked if the officials had been extra harsh with Barcelona, he just shrugged: “That’s how it goes sometimes. Usually, we get it tough, and other teams don’t. That’s football.”

Thinking back to that second leg, Garcia remembered moments when Barcelona really believed they could turn things around, especially when the score was still 0-2. “We believed in ourselves then. The team showed a good image. We’re learning, even though we don’t have much experience at this level, and we need to keep getting used to these kinds of games.”

Despite the disappointment, Garcia stayed upbeat about the season, especially with La Liga still within reach. “Now, we’re focused on La Liga. We’re in a good spot, and the sooner we can seal it, the better. It’s a reward for being consistent. We’ve played really well all year.”

He admitted the loss to Atletico stings, especially since they also knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey. “It hurts because of the way it happened, but it doesn’t take away from what we’ve achieved so far.”

The guard of honour topic came up, too: if they win the league before El Clásico, would Real Madrid give them that traditional respect? Garcia grinned. “If they do it, it’s because we’ve already won it. As I said, I just want to win as soon as we can.”

And if the roles were reversed, would Barcelona honour Real Madrid? Garcia was clear: “If someone beats you, you have to show respect. If it were us, we’d do it for any rival.”

People also asked about his World Cup chances, since he missed out on the last Spain squad. “Everyone knows there’s a World Cup, and I’d love to be there. All I can do is give my best every game, and if the coach calls me, I’ll be delighted.”