Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has admitted that the handling of the summer of Marc-Andre ter Stegen could have been better, after an impasse between the club and the captain. The German keeper is confronted with a difficult season with Joan Garcia who is set for number one place this season.
Something that Barcelona did not communicate him in advance, signed Joan Garcia from Espanyol for € 25 million, and reportedly against Ter Stegen that he would be third choice. Forced to be challenged, refused to unsubscribe from Stegen when sending his medical report to La Liga after he underwent back operation, allowing them to activate the injury rule to Garcia.
Barcelona then opened a disciplinary procedure against Ter Stegen, suspended the captain and issue that was resolved after Ter Stegen agreed to give his permission to send his medical report to La Liga.
Both Ter Stegen and Barcelona were criticized for their handling of the business, but Flick acknowledged that there was enough room for improvement on the Bild Sports Gala, because he received the Manager of the Year Award. MD quoted his words.
“Now we have a very young and talented keeper such as Joan Garcia, who is at a very, very high level. We all decided together that this should be the future of Bara. So for me it was clear what our approach was. Was everything good at terms of communication? I think there is much to improve, also from my side.”
Ter Stegen looks like he will be somewhere between three and five months, depending on the report, which means that he will be back between November and January. Flick said, however, that he could not offer his captain any guarantees.
“For me it is important that Marc and the club have reached each other. And that they have searched for the right communication. For me it is important that Marc returns. He is a top -level goalkeeper and he has our full support so that he can return to play at his best. What can I promise? No, I don't make promises.”
A Barcelona player or figure will hardly escape media people without a question about Lamine Yamal nowadays, and Flick could not have offered a higher praise.
“I don't think players can compare themselves. Lamine is a real genius. Especially at his age, 18, he concludes games on his own. He is on the right track. He is also very intelligent. But of course he is still very young at 18 and we have to learn from others. We support him.