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Hanzi Generation: The story of Hanzi Flick, the coach who changed Bayern Munich - Walla! sport

2020-08-14T13:06:59.760Z


A great tactician who gives his players a free hand to express themselves, a wonderful psychologist who contributed greatly to Germany's World Cup victory, and most importantly - lives and breathes Bayern Munich, the team he starred in in the 80s. The dizzying success of Hanzi Flick surprised only those who did not know him, but now the great challenge of his career awaits him


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Hanzi Generation: The story of Hanzi Flick, the coach who changed Bayern Munich

A great tactician who gives his players a free hand to express themselves, a wonderful psychologist who contributed greatly to Germany's World Cup victory, and most importantly - lives and breathes Bayern Munich, the team he starred in in the 80s. The dizzying success of Hanzi Flick surprised only those who did not know him, but now the great challenge of his career awaits him

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  • Bayern Munich
  • Hansi Flick

Michael Yochin

Friday, August 14, 2020, 4:00 p.m.

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      Yogi Lev thought it was a waste of time, but Hanzi Flick convinced him otherwise. The assistant coach of the German national team initiated special exercises in training - the players were divided into small teams, and often even into pairs, invented original ways to make stationary balls, and competed against each other. Flick himself usually participated in the mission, and most often chose Thomas Muller as a partner. The two brilliant football minds together came up with quite a few interesting ideas, and the rest of the staff also enjoyed the helpful creative activity. The Germans improved its coordination with the funds and free kicks, and often came on their wages. For example, Mats Hummels' winning goal against France in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals was planned thanks to Flick.

      Lev declared out loud: "Without Flick, we would not have won the World Cup. He also excels in surgery, and is also a very pleasant person. He has a great character, and all the players and coaches appreciate him." Indeed, Flick's contribution as an assistant coach on the team has been tremendous. He himself preferred to escape the spotlight during the eight years in office, between 2006 and 2014, and admitted that he felt uncomfortable when required to fill the place of the suspended heart in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals, but everyone involved knew just how critical his impact was. Flick was responsible for planning the training and analyzing the rivalry. More importantly, he created a positive atmosphere in the staff.

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      Critical to win. Flick and Lev embrace in the 2014 final (Photo: GettyImages)

      His shop was a local attraction

      It is no coincidence that this atmosphere was gradually destroyed following the departure of Flick after winning the gold medals in Brazil. Germany was much less cohesive at Euro 2016, while during the 2018 World Cup there was already a camping room for everything. It is not easy to maintain a balance between stars with a big ego, and Lev is not exactly the best psychologist in the world. The head coach is primarily concerned with tactical aspects and strategy outlining, but does not necessarily excel in emotional intelligence. The rude and brutal way he chose to say goodbye to Muller, Homeless and Jerome Boateng permanently in March 2019, without giving the veteran stars minimal respect, underscores this. Had Flick still been part of the team, this image fiasco would have been avoided.

      Because Flick is a person of people. To understand how much, it is worth knowing that for 22 years he ran a modest sports equipment store in his hometown of Emmental. He started the business with his wife after retiring from football as a player, and the place soon became a popular meeting place among the locals. They flocked there not to buy shirts and bikes, but mostly to drink coffee and exchange experiences. In time, his daughters also joined the management, while Flick himself turned to coaching and succeeded beyond his expectations - but the store was a major part of his life until the family made a difficult decision to close it in 2017 and mourned the Bamental staff. "After we posted the announcement, people said it would be mentally difficult for them to come and say goodbye, because this place is very important to them," said daughter Catherine Flick in retrospect.

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      The big challenge of his career will be tonight. Flick (Photo: GettyImages)

      Champagne with Hinks

      The caution with which he began his career as a coach is very typical of Flick, and this was exactly his approach when he made his first steps as a footballer. Stuttgart scouts kept an eye on the 18-year-old who belonged to tiny Sandhausen, but Flick chose to turn down the offer to complete his internship at the bank. "It was the right thing to do, because it was impossible to know how long I would be able to play football, and I knew I needed a stable profession for life," he explained in one of his first interviews as the team's assistant coach. However, Flick added on the occasion: "I have to be honest - I always wanted to play for Bayern. If Bayern had called me then, I would probably have given up the internship."

      Yes, he has always been a Bayern fan. And what a joy it was when Bayern did call him two years later, in 1985. Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer recommended him on his own, the omnipotent sports director perhaps Hans personally made the connection, and at the age of 20 Flick made his way to Munich to fulfill his big dream. It was a dizzying success for him - he became the car player at the back link, won four championships in five years, and enjoyed to the roof working with great coaches, Udo Latek and Joop Hinks. In an archive photo, which has become very popular recently, Flick and Hinks are seen shirtless, hugging, celebrating a degree by drinking champagne. Who would have believed that a day would come, and Flick would be defined as Hinks' ultimate successor on the Bavarian flagship bench?

      Bayern instead quality time with family

      Flick himself certainly did not dare to think in that direction at the time, but he certainly saw himself as a future coach in his day on the grass. When he moved to Cologne, he learned a lot from the Danish Morten Olsen, although knee injuries forced him to retire at just 28 years old. After setting up the store, he simultaneously took coaching courses, began working in amateur teams in the area, and in 2000 received a fascinating offer from Dietmar Hope, the owner of Hoffenheim who then played in the fourth division. Flick promoted it to the Third Division, laying the foundations of the project when very few had heard of it. However, Hope was already working on public relations, and even managed to arrange a visit from Jürgen Klinsmann and his assistant Lev, who prepared the team for the home World Cup. "Here's the future national team coach," Hop smiled as he introduced them to Flick. He did not know that the prophecy would soon be fulfilled, even if Enzy did not make the team in the lead role.

      Flick himself was also very surprised by the offer he received from the association in 2006. This did not prevent him, of course, from taking the opportunity with both hands. To this end, he parted ways earlier than expected from his position as Giovanni Trapattoni's assistant in Salzburg, where he also eagerly studied with the Italian maestro. One of the players on the Austrian squad at the time was then, quite ironically, Niko Kovacs. Thirteen years later, they reunited at Bayern, when Flick was appointed - in Hans' last decision as president before retiring - as the assistant coach of the German-Croatian coach who was not appreciated by players, journalists and the crowd despite winning the championship last year. Flick, who did not work after leaving a managerial position in the association and preferred to spend a lot of time with his family, did not expect this offer, but - as in 1985 - was really unable to refuse when Bayern called him, and embarked on a life-changing adventure.

      wonderchild. Flick with Yogi Lev at the beginning of their joint journey (Photo: GettyImages)

      Psychologist instead of dictator

      It was clear that Kovacs was living on borrowed time, but the management did not immediately realize that the ideal replacement was already on the coaching staff. Following the inevitable dismissal announcement in November, Flick was initially appointed only as interim coach, while the club looked for more "big" and "experienced" names. Within a few weeks it became clear that there was no point in doing so. Flick was just the right man in the right place, and frankly you did not have to be a genius to predict this. Is there anyone more experienced than a world champion who has worked in perfect harmony with Germany's top stars for eight years? Is there a bigger name for Muller, Boateng and Manuel Neuer than the coach they know and love, who has long since become a true friend? Is there a man more suited to Bayern than a former player who has known the club from the inside since the '80s, has been a fan of the team since he can remember, and fully understands the meaning of Mia San Mia?

      Kovacs has dictatorial tendencies, which have been considerably helpful with a young Frankfrut staff, but in no way appropriate for Bayern. He believed that the right way to bring order was to command with an iron fist, to force his mind, not to listen to the old stars, and even to humiliate them as much as possible. He sculpted Müller and almost pushed him out of the club, causing much frustration in the locker room in general. A mesmerizing example of this was the decision not to let Xavi Martinez play against Hoffenheim, even though his son was celebrating a birthday, and the Basque stopper invited him to the stands and promised to play well for him. After failing to fulfill the promise, Martinez simply burst into tears. Kovacs did not notice, but Flick approached him and comforted him for long minutes.

      Was replaced by its complete opposite. Kovac reprimands Muller (Photo: GettyImages)

      Creativity on offense, order on defense

      And this is exactly the change that took place after the coach's position. The smiles and joy of life returned, and with them the results. Muller returned to the squad to break the season-high cooking record in the Bundesliga. It happened not only because of the deep mutual affection with the boss, but also because of the method that suited him like a glove. Instead of a fairly fixed Kovacs lineup, Flick's Bayern is particularly flexible. The coach who has always advocated offensive football, and in this area was very close to the heart, gives his trainees a free hand to express their creativity on the pitch as much as they please. The movement without a ball has improved beyond recognition, and this is exactly Muller's most powerful asset. He not only pops up everywhere on the field, but also knows how to spot the smart movement of his teammates. With a flick on the lines, Bayern are unpredictable for the opposing players and very enjoyable to watch for the neutral crowd. It produces more ostentatious moves even compared to the 2012/13 Hinks treble season.

      At the same time, it is much more stable in defense as well. The home front organization was one of Flick's most important in the team, and he knows how to implement this in his beloved club as well. Flick plays a significant part in David Alaba's rise as a brake and Boateng's resurrection. He is responsible for the blossoming of Alfonso David in the left wing - offensively and defensively. In short, it is impossible to dream of a better appointment. In December, Bayern announced that Flick would end his season as coach. In April she has already extended his contract until 2023. No one will be surprised if he stays in the team much longer, and builds a real lineage.

      this is only the beginning. Flick (Photo: GettyImages)

      "Upgrade us to another level"

      "The Enzy Flick is very suitable for us. He has upgraded us to a completely different level, and thanks to him we are winning all the time," said Robert Lewandowski, referring to Bayern's insane balance since November - 30 wins in 33 games in all competitions. "Hanzi finds a common language with all the players. We are better on offense, but I especially like that defense has also become our strength," Neuer claims. "We are stable, everyone understands their tasks. And maybe the lineup changes all the time, but we are a cohesive team, and feel partners for one goal," Muller states. This stream of compliments can be continued. There are enough quotes for a complete booklet.

      So Bayern, who looked like a wreck at the start of the season, easily won the championship, celebrated the German Cup final, and now face the biggest challenge of all - winning the Champions League to complete Treble. In the quarter-finals, they face Barcelona, ​​another champion who replaced an unpopular coach in the middle of the season, but the appointment of Kika Stein did not meet the high expectations. Therefore, the Bavarians are the clear favorites on Friday night at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon. If the momentum continues, Flick will celebrate a Ph.D. early in his short tenure. And all the residents of Ammental are holding his fingers. The owner of the local store is on his way to being recognized as one of the best trainers in the world - and rightly so.

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        Source: walla

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