Barcelona axe Head Fitness Coach in favour of Hansi Flick request | OneFootball

Barcelona have decided to move on from Head Fitness Coach Julio Tous, following a season in which a number of key players have suffered from injury issues. There had been talk that players had complained about Tous’ methods.

Brought in two seasons ago alongside Hansi Flick, he was credited with Barcelona’s major jump forward in terms of injuries, and was given more control last summer. Yet that coincided with a swift increase in the number of injuries at the club, and key players had reportedly advocated for his removal. Flick himself publicly voiced displeasure with the number of injuries, and in particular, the relapses suffered by the likes of Raphinha.

Last week it was reported that Flick was in favour of bringing in former Bayern Munich fitness coach Dr. Holger Broich, who he worked with in Germany. In turn, Tous would be moved on. Yet Tous was brought in by Alejandro Echevarria, who has a significant weight in the decision-making at Barcelona.

Tous axed by Barcelona

According to Cadena SER, Flick will get his way. He will no longer be the Head Fitness Coach, and instead will be moved into a new role created for him, working with talented youngsters at the club. In his place, Barcelona will bring in Dr. Holger Broich, as requested by Flick. They say that some players at Barcelona were content with Tous, but others will welcome the news.

Barcelona’s injury woes

Barcelona were often without their best XI on the pitch last season, with Raphinha the most frequent absentee, through five different hamstring injuries. Equally, Pedri missed game time with two hamstring injuries, and Lamine Yamal also suffered from a sports hernia. During Flick’s first season, the lack of injuries was cited as a key reason for their success.