Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick decided not to object to the sale of a first team star … More previously deemed ‘untouchable’ because of his attitude after returning from injury according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
UEFA via Getty Images
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick decided not to object to the sale of a first team star previously deemed ‘untouchable’ because of his attitude after returning from injury according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered what was expected to be a season-ending injury against Villarreal in September, which prompted Barca to bring Wojciech Szczesny out of retirement.
Inaki Pena remained Flick’s first choice heading towards 2025, but disciplinary incidents at the turn of the year resulted in the Pole becoming the German’s number one choice between the sticks for what ended up being a domestic treble-winning campaign.
With Barca conceding seven goals against Inter Milan across two Champions League semifinal legs and not reaching the decider in Munich against Paris Saint-Germain, the Catalans have moved swiftly to try and bring in a younger goalkeeping option for Flick.
That’s Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, who is expected to switch allegiances to his boyhood club’s crosstown rival in a matter of days, once Barca has activated his $28.5 million (€25 million) release clause.
RAC 1 reported that President Joan Laporta told the board Ter Stegen would have to be sold if Garcia arrives, and the veteran was defiant on international duty when asked about such a potential development.
“No one has told me about this, so I don’t know the situation,” Ter Stegen said from a press conference.
“I’m not worried. I know that I will be at Barcelona next year,” he added. “If I remember correctly, and if no news has happened in the last few hours, we only have two goalkeepers for next season, Inaki [Pena]
and me.”
That of course was brushing aside Szczesny, who has not yet renewed his one-year contract but should do in the coming weeks.
According to SPORT, though, Flick is also in favour of getting rid of Ter Stegen. That’s because the manager didn’t like his countryman’s attitude at the end of the season, and actions such as allegedly calling the Sporting Director Deco to try and force his way into the starting line up for the second leg against Inter at the San Siro despite not even being registered to play in the Champions League.
Forcing an interview with the German press to publicly express he was ready to play wasn’t appreciated either, nor was staying in Barcelona and training alone as Barca headed to Milan.
Ter Stegen’s conduct wasn’t at all appreciated, and ended up “clouding the atmosphere” in what should have been a joyous locker room as a highly successful 2024/2025 drew to a close.
Ter Stegen appears to be on borrowed time at FC Barcelona
With backing from neither the board nor the head coach, Ter Stegen appears to be on borrowed time at FC Barcelona and might be wise to seek an exit himself amid interest from Al Hilal.
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.