Former La Liga defender set to join Hansi Flick’s staff at Barcelona

Barcelona’s new manager Hansi Flick is expected to shake up the squad and tailor the team to his preferences.

Reports have mentioned that he intends to revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation comprising a double pivot.

But a structural overhaul is not the only change fans can expect, as some new faces will also be joining the coaching staff.

Indeed, Flick is already in the process of completing the selection of his technical staff. Toni Tapalovic and Markus Sorg are two of the confirmed names, but there is also a new name entering the fray.

The third member of Flick’s coaching staff

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo Heiko Westermann, a former Real Betis central defender from 2015 to 2016, will be Flick’s third staff member.

Fluency in Spanish, La Liga expertise, and prior work with Flick in the German Football Federation’s lower divisions are just a few of the noteworthy qualities that Westermann brings to the table.

The latest addition to Barça’s coaching staff? (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

The 40-year-old, who was born in Alzenau on August 14, 1983, has been the assistant coach for the German Under-19 squad since July 2023.

Before his retirement from professional football in 2018 at Austria Vienna, Westermann’s career as a player included stints at Arminia Bielefeld, Schalke 04, Hamburg, Betis and Ajax.

After concluding his playing career, Westermann became a youth football coach for the German national teams.

With the national U-19 team’s failure to make it to the European Championship this summer, Westermann can begin training with Barcelona’s technical staff as soon as the preseason begins this summer.

Considering Westermann has acquired experience with youngsters and is well-versed in Spanish football, he can be a good addition to Flick’s coaching staff.