Barcelona coach Hansi Flick cut short his vacation and returned to Spain to officially begin work on Friday at the Ciutat Esportiva, in preparation for the start of the new season. The players are scheduled to undergo medicals and fitness tests next Sunday, marking the beginning of the team’s official pre-season preparations.
Amid this context, Flick is expected to inform his German goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, that Joan García will be the first-choice goalkeeper next season, with Szczęsny serving as the primary backup. However, Ter Stegen and his camp remain adamant about staying at Barcelona, determined to fight for his starting spot, both publicly and behind the scenes, insisting that he has no intention of leaving.
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Hansi Flick now faces one of his toughest decisions since taking charge at Barcelona, as he plans to hold a personal meeting with Ter Stegen to inform him that he is not part of his plans for the upcoming season. This meeting is expected to be both crucial and difficult, but necessary to clarify the goalkeeper’s future amid growing competition.
The signing of young goalkeeper Joan García is not seen as a temporary move but rather as part of a long-term vision. The club views him as the starting goalkeeper in Barcelona’s new era. García is known for his lightning speed, excellent agility, advanced technical ability, and high energy—qualities that align perfectly with Flick’s footballing philosophy.
Meanwhile, Ter Stegen has reportedly lost the confidence of the board, despite being a key figure at the club for nearly a decade. A combination of factors has led to this stance, including recurring injuries, his substantial salary, and reported communication issues with some teammates in the dressing room—all of which contributed to the belief that his chapter at the club may be drawing to a close.
