Madrid, Jan. 14 (UNI) FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Wednesday he expects Xabi Alonso to find a new job soon after his departure from Real Madrid earlier this week.
Alonso and Real Madrid parted ways on Monday after a 3-2 defeat to Flick’s side in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, with media reports also circulating about strained relations with some of the club’s star players.
Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s fourth-round Copa del Rey match away to Racing Santander on Thursday, Flick was asked about Alonso’s exit.
“This is football, and it’s not my business,” Flick said.
He added that he has a good relationship with Alonso.
“What I can say is that I have a good relationship with Xabi; we met in Leverkusen and have stayed in touch. It’s football, and I wish him all the best,” he said.
“I’m sure he and his coaching staff will have a great project soon. He’s a great coach and has a bright future,” Flick said, adding that coaches eventually change jobs.
“It’s part of football, and we can’t change it. The club has to believe in you; the team has to and so do those who make the decisions.”
“The job of a coach is very complicated; we have many responsibilities, but in the end, it’s part of our job, and we have to live with it,” he said.
Flick also spoke about his relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
“Football depends on victories, and even more so at big clubs. The feeling I had from my first hours here [at Barcelona] was very clear: that we would work together, and now it feels like a family. I really value this culture,” he said.
