Hansi Flick and Joan Laporta react to shock Barcelona exit rumours

Hansi Flick and Joan Laporta have both dismissed suggestions that the Barcelona head coach could quit at the end of the season.

The German has been in charge of the Blaugrana since 2024, and it has so far been a hugely successful spell. Flick led Barcelona to a domestic treble in his first year at the club, and his side are one of the favourites for this season’s Champions League.

In LaLiga, Barcelona are currently facing some issues as defensive frailties have seen them drop points, including to hated Clasico rivals Real Madrid, which left them five points adrift of the summit.

Overall, though, Flick has done a good job, and this is widely recognised in the Blaugrana fanbase. It therefore came as a shock when rumours emerged on Wednesday claiming that the 60-year-old was considering quitting at the end of the season.

With a crucial Champions League clash against Club Brugge coming up, this was an unwelcome distraction, but both Flick himself and club president Joan Laporta have assured fans that there is nothing to those rumours.

Flick: Barca exit rumours are ‘rubbish’

Ahead of the game against Brugge, Flick met with Barcelona fans and the press and was confronted with the speculation, which prompted a blunt response. “More rubbish,” Flick succintly replied, annoyed by repeatedly being confronted with outlandish rumours.

Just a few weeks ago, Flick professed his love for Barcelona at a press conference. “This club has completely changed me,” he admitted. “I love this club and Barcelona, ​​I love the people here. It’s incredible.”

Similarly, Barcelona president Joan Laporta rubbished any exit rumours when he spoke to the media after a meeting with Dirk de Fauw, the mayor of Bruges.

“I know that Hansi Flick is very happy and excited about our return to the [renovated Camp Nou] stadium, which will have a capacity of 105,000 spectators,” Laporta insisted.

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has also played down suggestions of a departure in 2026. Flick’s contract runs until 2027 and there is no indication that he will leave prematurely.

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