Transfer news

Hansi Flick brings ex-Austrian to FC Barcelona

Hansi Flick is strengthening his coaching team at FC Barcelona with the former Austria professional and one-time Germany international Heiko Westermann.

Westermann, who ended his career at Vienna's Austria in 2018 after spells at Schalke, HSV, Betis and Ajax, was most recently assistant coach of the German U19 national team under Christian Wörns. Now the 40-year-old is embarking on the Barcelona adventure. 

"I am grateful for five intensive years at the DFB, during which I learned a lot. Be it on numerous work experience placements at home and abroad or in developing the defensive player program. It was always an honor to work with the best young players in the country. We celebrated victories together and dealt with defeats; there were highs and lows. What remains is the close relationship with all my fellow coaches from the DFB's U division. In soccer you always see each other several times, goodbye," he is quoted as saying in the DFB's press release.

Barcelona also presented Marcus Sorg as another co-coach and Toni Tapalovic as goalkeeping coach.