Less than a week remains for FC Barcelona to finish their season after which Xavi Hernandez is set to be removed from his post as the first-team manager.
Now, all signs point towards former Bayern Munich and Germany national team manager Hansi Flick becoming the next head coach of the Catalan heavyweights.
The 59-year-old has been without a job since being sacked from the Germany post and has been pressing to join Barça ever since doubts over Xavi’s position emerged.
A meeting is understood to have taken place between Barcelona officials and Flick and his agent this week, indicating that things could be moving forward for him.
As such, here are three ways Barcelona could line up next season should Flick take over the new manager from Xavi.
A familiar 4-2-3-1
Across the two jobs that he has had with Bayern Munich and Germany, Hansi Flick has always preferred to use a 4-2-3-1 setup with a double pivot in the middle of the park and could bring that setup to Barcelona as well.
A switch to such a formation would be something new at Barça given they have always adhered to the 4-3-3 shape.
Players like Frenkie de Jong (should he stay), could stand to benefit from the tactical shift while others like Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski would also be familiar with such a system having played under Flick with Germany and Bayern Munich, respectively.
Pedri and Fermin Lopez would be options for the No. 10 position while Pablo Torre, returning from loan, could also get a look-in in the new setup.
Carrying forward the Barça way with a 4-3-3
On the other hand, Hansi Flick could continue to stick with Barcelona’s tradition and philosophy by carrying on with a 4-3-3 formation that the Catalans have used regularly.
However, for Barça to succeed with that setup, they will have to bring in a top-level defensive midfielder – which is their main aim heading into the summer transfer window.
Guido Rodriguez is set to arrive and the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubimendi are also being targeted. If either of the latter two were to arrive, they would walk right into the starting XI, partnering Pedri and Gundogan in midfield.
A novel 3-4-3
Finally, given Barcelona’s riches in the centre-back department and the fact that they have not always been defensively resolute this season, Hansi Flick might consider going with a novel approach and using a 3-4-3 formation.
In such a system, the manager could opt to utilise Jules Kounde in his natural centre-back role alongside Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo (if he stays), or even Inigo Martinez to have a left-footed player in the backline.
Placing Alejandro Balde as a wing-back on the left side would also be advantageous given his attacking qualities and would add a fresh dimension going forward.
It would, however, pose questions as to how Flick would utilise the midfielders he has at his disposal and the makeup of the attacking line as well and how Lamine Yamal would fit into the system.
