Barcelona Manager Hansi Flick Vows to Alter Behavior because of Grandchildren
Hansi Flick won the European Cup with the German giants in 2020.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick admits he hopes to avoid his young family members seeing the behavior that led to his red card during the match against Girona.
Flick received a caution for mocking applause the match official when signaled four minutes of injury time, following the team's wasted opportunities with the score level.
When replacement Ronald Araujo netted a late winner for the club, Flick participated in the fans in joyous scenes and was given a second yellow for displaying an obscene gesture.
"I dislike seeing myself in such a condition on TV, and I hope to prevent my descendants from seeing their elder like that," the manager said. "So I likely have to adjust my behavior."
The Coach Explains Passion to Devotion for Barcelona
Addressing media at a news conference before the team meet Olympiacos in the Champions League, Flick attributed the raised finger for which he was disciplined to the depth of feeling he has for the club, which he has managed since this year.
He was head coach at the Bundesliga club when the team were the initial to net eight times against Barca in over five decades in 2020, and claims to have been reserved on the sideline as his team advanced into a European Cup last four.
"I remember when I was coach of Bayern Munich, the footage of the match against Barcelona revealed that I had the same reaction to the first, second and final goals," said Flick. "Observers remarked I never smiled! Right now I'm showing more emotion, it's true, because this team has transformed me."
"Maybe I should restrain my emotions, but I love Barca, the city and its supporters, and that's why I always give my all."
Suspension for El Clasico
Flick's dismissal includes a sideline suspension which will restrict him to the stands of the stadium as his team face the rivals in El Clasico on this weekend – though the club are challenging against the decision.
Barca leader the president alleged a "hidden influence" was behind referee Jesus Gil Manzano's officiating against Girona – implying favoritism toward the Madrid club – though the coach himself declined to get drawn into suggestions of referee partiality.
"I held nothing against the official," he said. "I did not protest at him but he saw it that way and that's something I have to accept."
