Hansi Flick may clash with Barcelona heavyweight over staff decision | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has espoused the value of working in harmony, something he has said he has found at Camp Nou. Yet there is an issue within the staff at the club that looks as if it may come to a head this summer.

For some time there has been speculation that the fitness department at Barcelona could be an area of conflict at the club, with a number of key players suffering from injuries and relapses this past season. The previous year, Barcelona had brought in fitness coach Julio Tous and physiotherapist Raul Martinez, which had improved matters, but on the suggestion of President Joan Laporta’s close advisor Alejandro Echevarria, Tous was given full control over the preparation of the players.

Flick keen to replace Tous with ex-Bayern Munich coach

It was reported earlier in the year that the players were keen to see Tous’ role changed or see him moved on altogether as a result. Catalunya Radio explain that Flick lost faith in him earlier in the season, when Raphinha relapsed twice from a hamstring injury. His solution would be to bring in former Bayern Munich fitness coach Dr. Holger Broich, who was in charge of that area during his own time at Bayern.

Yet if Broich is employed to head up the fitness department, then it will render Tous somewhat redundant. Even if he is given a different role, it will be difficult for the club to justify his high salary that he was moved onto as well.

Who is Dr. Holger Broich?

Image via Imago

Also qualified as a professor in sports science, Dr. Broich began his career as a player in the lower leagues in Germany, playing for hometown club Meppen, then Fortuna Koln, Bocholt and Remscheid. He would then go on to become a sports scientist at Bayer Leverkusen in 2003 on his retirement. Working as a rehabilitation specialist, and a fitness coach, he stayed at Leverkusen until 2014. The 51-year-old would then spend another decade at Bayern, working both in the sports science department and as a fitness coach.