Barca Manager Hansi Flick Vows to Alter Behavior because of Grandchildren
Hansi Flick won the European Cup with Bayern Munich in 2020.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick admits he hopes to avoid his grandchildren witnessing the behavior that led to his red card during the fixture against Girona.
The 60-year-old was shown a caution for mocking applause the match official when signaled additional time of stoppage time, following the team's missed chances with the score level.
When replacement Ronald Araujo netted a late winner for the club, Flick participated in the fans in wild celebrations and was shown a second yellow for making an obscene gesture.
"I don't like my image in such a condition on TV, and I don't want my descendants from seeing their elder like that," Flick said. "Therefore I likely have to change my conduct."
The Coach Explains Emotion to Love for Barcelona
Addressing media at a news conference before the team face the Greek side in the Champions League, Flick attributed the gesture for which he was penalised to the depth of feeling he has for the team, which he has coached since this year.
Flick was head coach at the Bundesliga club when the German side became the initial to score eight goals against Barcelona in more than 50 years in 2020, and claims to have been understated on the touchline as his team breezed into a Champions League semi-final.
"I remember when I was coach of Bayern, the footage of the match against Barca revealed that I had the same reaction to the initial, second and final goals," said Flick. "People said I never smiled! Right now I'm showing more emotion, it's accurate, because this club has completely changed me."
"Maybe I should restrain my emotions, but I love Barca, the city and its people, and that's why I consistently put in maximum effort."
Suspension for El Clasico
Flick's dismissal includes a sideline suspension which will restrict him to the seating area of the stadium as his team face the rivals in El Clasico on this weekend – though the club are appealing against the decision.
Club leader Joan Laporta claimed a "white hand" was behind official the referee's officiating against Girona – implying support for Real Madrid – though the coach himself refused to get drawn into suggestions of referee partiality.
"I had no issue with the official," he said. "I wasn't complaining at him but he saw it that way and that's something I have to accept."
