Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick attends a press conference at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, on March 9, 2026, the eve of their UEFA Champions League Last 16 football match against Newcastle United. (Photo by SCOTT HEPPELL / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick attends a press conference at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, on March 9, 2026, the eve of their UEFA Champions League Last 16 football match against Newcastle United. (Photo by SCOTT HEPPELL / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Hansi Flick has spoken to the media ahead of the Champions League last 16 clash between Newcastle United and Barcelona.
Hansi Flick went into full defence mode when quizzed by the Spanish press about Barcelona politics - and called for respect to be put on Newcastle United’s name.
The German was full of praise for the Magpies ahead of the last 16 clash at St James’ Park. And while he preferred to focus on the game and the task in front of his players on Tyneside, the media had different ideas.
Flick was repeatedly quizzed about the upcoming elections within the club - and he was not impressed, as he kept taking the direction of questioning away from boardroom politics and back to what happens on the pitch.
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When asked, he said: “We have to wait for the election, but what I can say... When I arrived here, from the first day, I had a good feeling with Deco. With Deco and with Bojan, we are working really great together. We analysed, I said this to you when I arrived. I'm not sure if you recognise this. We not only analysed the players of the first team, we also analysed La Masia players and also the Barca players.
“When I spoke with Deco and Bojan, they said, OK, we have one left defender, and he's really good, and he takes care also about the back. No-one plays in his back. And we have a number six, two number six. They are young, but very talented. And we spoke about Marc Casato and Marc Bernal, and also Gerrard. And, you know, this is the same... We have the same... When we analyse the players, we have the same idea. We see the same in the players, and we believe in these players. Every day we gave the best for this club. All we have, OK? And this is, for me, I don't know why today... OK, I know why today, this interview. But at the end, it's one of the most important weeks in the season right now, because we want to go to the next round. We have here a game, and we have to focus on the game. And what I can say is, everything here in Barcelona, in Barca, is great. Because I'm here one and a half years, and I enjoy every single day. Working with these fantastic teams, with these fantastic players, with this stuff around. And Alejandro, you know, he takes care of us, and when we need something, he pushes it. And so we have to... Now we build this club also for the future.
“This is what we want to do. Also, when I'm away, maybe the next coach can say, OK, Hansi did a fantastic job. I have good infrastructure. And this is what we do, what we are doing now. Everyone from us gives everything for this club. And this is what I want to say, OK? And nothing else. Now I think we can focus on the game, because we respect Newcastle also, we respect the game for tomorrow, OK?”
Hansi Flick highlights Newcastle United strengths - calls for respect
Barcelona were, of course, winners at St James’ Park earlier this season, and while the visitors have gone on to lead La Liga, the Magpies have slid down the Premier League table, having more ups than downs. But when presented with that info, Flick does not think league form matters, especially when it comes to the Champions League.
He said: “No, I think the Champions League is different, so everyone who plays now in this stage wants to show their best.
And what I said before, I expect the team, the fans will push them, and they will press us very high in a one-against-one situation. And we have to play brave out, with confidence out. I think it will be not easy, but we have to find solutions about that.
“And, yeah, of course, it's a team with transition, they are very fast players, very good players, outstanding players, and for this we have to handle and manage it.”
Premier League is best in the world - Hansi Flick
Despite stressing the strength of his own side, Flick made it clear he thinks the English top flight is top of the pile. And while he highlights money as a defining factor, he says it’s not all about that.
Flick said: “I can see that the Premier League is a great league. For me, it's the best league in the world. And they have strong teams, of course they also have a lot of money to make the right decision, hopefully. But they do it.
“There are six teams now in the next round and for me, OK, we are strong, we have a huge quality also.
“Not only Newcastle or Man City, Arsenal or Tottenham, like the others, we have to continue our way, our style, how we want to play. This is our philosophy, we want to play like Barca.
“This is also here in the Champions League, because our supporters are proud about us, about the way how we play football.”
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