FC Barcelona Coach Flick Tells ‘Untouchable’ Star Bad News

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has already given previously ‘untouchable’ star Marc-Andre ter Stegen some bad news according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

The German had to watch from the sidelines for most of the 2024/2025 season as Wojciech Szczesny led Barca to a domestic treble and deep run in the Champions League which ended at the semifinal stage.

Once Ter Stegen returned from injury, he remained second choice goalkeeper. Then, as soon as the campaign wound up, Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta turned their attention towards a long-term heir for the position.

They settled on Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, and triggered his €25 million release clause as soon as the funds were raised.

Even before the transfer had been completed and announced, though, there were reports that Ter Stegen would now be surplus to requirements and moved on.

In an interview with La Vanguardia, Deco defiantly said he didn’t owe the veteran an explanation.

“I don’t have to talk to him. My obligation is to make the best possible team for the coach. This is not my business. In addition to that, there is no contract in which it says that you are going to play. From here it is the coach who makes his decisions, and each player then has his ambitions,” Deco explained, though he also made it clear that the Champions League winner wouldn’t be forced out of the club.

“We made a decision to sign a young goalkeeper, which means he can play tomorrow or be on the bench or play in a year or two. We have expectations with Joan that then have to be fulfilled. Everyone who comes here starts from scratch, nobody arrives with an advantage over the others,” the Portuguese former midfielder further stated.

It was later said in the press that there would be talks between Flick and Ter Stegen a few days before preseason training starts on July 13, which has proven to be true.

According to SPORT, Flick, who reported to duty at the Joan Gamper CT on Friday, has already gotten the difficult talk with and told Ter Stegen the bad news.

This is that in 2025/2026, the World Cup hopeful will not start the season as his number one choice, with Garcia having “all the confidence of the coaching staff and the sporting management to play in the starting eleven”.

Flick is reportedly clear that Garcia “has the necessary qualities to be Barca’s goalkeeper and he will be his bet throughout the season, unless there is a suspension or injury”. Furthermore, ‘Tek’ signing a one-year extension at the turn of the week puts Ter Stegen in a three-horse race for minutes.

FC Barcelona will respect what Ter Stegen wants to do

Though he is no longer ‘untouchable’ at the club, FC Barcelona will respect any decision that Ter Stegen makes whether that is staying to fight for a starting spot or going elsewhere in January in search for playing time that will improve his chances of heading to the World Cup.