Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona, raises his finger and smiles at the press during his press conference on the training day of FC Barcelona ahead of the Spanish League, La Liga EA Sports, football match against CA Osasuna at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain, on December 12, 2025. (Photo by Ruben De La Rosa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says he has a “spectacular” relationship with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and says the German coach has his team playing at “another level” this season.
There were tensions between Spain and Barcelona before the World Cup due to the use of Lamine Yamal, with Flick critical of La Roja after the teenager was given painkillers to play.
De la Fuente said he was “surprised” by Flick’s comments at the time but now says all is well between the two coaches and has praised the German for the work he’s doing at Camp Nou.
“I have a very good relationship with Hansi Flick, just so you know. Spectacular. I love him. Barça is on another level. Betis is also doing well. I think they’re the two teams that are playing the best right now,” he told AS.
“Barça reminds me of when people used to say, ‘They don’t have a center forward.’ And I’d say, ‘Please, I’m amazed.’ Barça is going to play without a center forward? Well, thank goodness. With Raphinha in the form he is, and Gabriel Jesus and Dani Olmo even playing there, they’re doing fantastically.”
De la Fuente has called up seven Barcelona players over the international break. The world champions are back in action first up on Saturday night against England in the Nations League.