The situation of Marc André ter Stegen at FC Barcelona is becoming increasingly complex. What role does Hansi Flick play?
FC Barcelona’s handling of Marc André ter Stegen is causing a stir. The role of coach Hansi Flick is increasingly coming into focus.
The situation of Marc André ter Stegen at FC Barcelona is becoming increasingly complex.
“It is absolutely reprehensible that no one in the club has spoken to ter Stegen, that he has to find out everything about leaks in the press and that there is this kind of bullying of a player who has been with us for so many years,” he scolded now.
Has Flick already decided on ter Stegen?
As reported by the Barca-related Mundo Deportivo, Flick has still not spoken to ter Stegen about the current situation. Which is why he still sees himself as the club’s number one.
However, the signing of a new competitor, Joan Garcia, is imminent. And Flick, according to the report, is said to favor the much younger keeper from local rivals Espanyol.
What’s more, in addition to Garcia, the club is primarily planning with Wojciech Szczesny. Ter Stegen would only be third in the goalkeeping rankings.
Similar signs are also coming from Germany. According to Sport Bild, Flick also wants to put the new man in goal. Flick had already decided against ter Stegen in the national team and preferred Manuel – and also brought his buddy Toni Tapalovic to Barcelona as goalkeeping coach.
Galatasaray as a way out for German number one?
According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, ter Stegen feels “deceived, attacked, betrayed” and “let down”.
The German number one still has a contract in Barcelona until 2028 and is said to be one of the top earners, which should be a good reason for the cash-strapped Catalans to get rid of the goalkeeper.
According to Sport, the break with Flick for ter Stegen came when the coach relied on Szczesny in the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan. According to the unconfirmed report, Ter Stegen is said to have refused to travel to Milan for the second leg.
The future of ter Stegen, who was only appointed captain last summer and fought his way back after suffering a patellar tendon tear in September, therefore remains completely open. With a view to the World Cup next year, match practice would not only be important for ter Stegen, but also for national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
As reported by the Turkish portal Fanatik, the keeper is said to have already agreed with Galatasaray. Sport Bild, in turn, reported that this is not true and that ter Stegen is not thinking about leaving FC Barcelona – even if the interest from Turkey is certainly real.