JAKARTA - Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, says Xabi Alonso will soon get a new job. He supports the former Real Madrid manager to have a great career in the management world.
Alonso left his position as Los Blancos' manager after only 233 days in charge on Monday, January 12, 2026, local time, following a 2-3 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana) final.
After leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unexpected Bundesliga title in 2024, Alonso left Real Madrid with a record of 24 wins from 34 games he led, in which he lost only six games.
"This is football. I have a very good relationship with Xabi. We met in Leverkusen when I became the national team coach (Germany) and I am still under contract with him."
"He is a fantastic coach, but this is football, we have to accept these things. He will get the next big project for himself and his team."
"As a coach, we have to keep moving forward, thinking about what we can do better, but he is a fantastic coach. He has a bright future ahead of him," Flick said in a press conference on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, about Alonso who was replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.
Having built up that friendship when Flick was Germany's national coach, the pair became rivals last summer when Alonso took over Carlo Ancelotti's position at Real Madrid.
In the first of two meetings, Alonso's Real Madrid won 2-1 in LaLiga in October 2025, with Flick's Barcelona team taking revenge at the Supercopa de Espana.
Meanwhile, Flick spoke ahead of the trip to the headquarters of the Segunda Division leaders, Racing Santander, in the Copa del Rey 16th round, on Friday, January 16, 2026, early morning WIB.
He said new loan player Joao Cancelo had the chance to make another debut for the club after playing at Barcelona in the 2023/2024 season.
"We are considering that he can play a few minutes. Joao is a fantastic football player, very professional. He has many qualities, also in attack. This is what we need."
"We need players when the opponent is in the final third of the field. We have to play, to beat them, I think we need quality there. He is a good choice for that," said Flick about whether the wingback who joined from Al Hilal could perform or not.
Flick further said that it was likely that Joan Garcia would be the starting goalkeeper despite having given playing opportunities to Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the last Copa del Rey match (32nd round) against Guadalajara.
The German coach has reiterated in recent weeks that Garcia is the number 1 goalkeeper.
Launching ESPN, the situation makes Ter Stegen will be allowed to leave Barcelona this month if he wants. The reason is, Wojciech Szczesny can replace Garcia if needed.
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