​As Hansi Flick begins his third season in charge of Barcelona, the club finally appears to have the financial latitude needed to support his project in earnest. For the first time in years, Barcelona is operating with fewer financial constraints, making long-term and carefully considered decisions in the transfer market. This summer’s strategy reflects a balance between bolstering the squad and ensuring sustainable growth, underpinned by a new level of financial freedom that allows for more thoughtful investments rather than reactive spending.
In addition to the anticipated on-pitch changes, Barcelona’s administration has implemented a series of personnel adjustments within the coaching and support staff. AS has the latest update on these evolutions behind the scenes. The most notable change comes in the physiotherapy department, where Borja Portillo is no longer part of the first-team staff. Portillo had played a significant role in the team’s injury responses, contributing to Marc Bernal’s return to action and helping Dani Olmo maintain a relatively injury-free period after a fragile start to his time at the club. His departure marks a shift in the club’s medical approach as Flick reshapes the support structure to align with his methods.
Taking over the physiotherapy duties is Sergio Toro, who arrives with the endorsement of Raul Martinez, the head of Barcelona’s physiotherapy department. Toro’s appointment signals a continuity of approach while introducing new techniques and perspectives to the team’s rehabilitation and prevention programs. The broader support staff revamp continues beyond the physiotherapy unit, as the club has also reorganized several other key roles this summer.
One of the most significant internal moves involves Julio Tous, who previously sat at the heart of the physical preparation setup. Tous has been reassigned to a different area within the club, now placed in the “performance and optimisation” department. This shift reflects Barcelona’s focus on linking physical conditioning more directly with overall performance metrics and strategic objectives for the season ahead. In line with this realignment, Benjamin Kugel has been appointed to lead the physical preparation department. Kugel is a familiar face to Flick, having worked with him previously, and his appointment is expected to bring a cohesive, data-driven approach to the team’s fitness program.
Two of Kugel’s assistants, Rafa Maldonado and German Fernandez, have also received new assignments and will now work with the B team, ensuring the club’s broader development pathway benefits from high-quality physical preparation expertise. The changes aim to create a streamlined, integrated system where players receive consistent, top-tier conditioning and support across the first team and the reserve squad.
Nutrition is another area that has undergone a notable reshuffle. Silvia Tremoleda has stepped away from her role as head nutritionist, and Mireia Porta Oliva has been appointed to oversee the department for the upcoming season. This transition underscores Barcelona’s emphasis on optimizing on-field performance through advanced nutritional strategies tailored to players’ training loads, recovery needs, and match expectations.
With these structural adjustments, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona pre-season is set to begin with a renewed sense of purpose. The players, alongside the newly appointed support staff, are poised to kick off preparations for the forthcoming campaign. The changes signal a holistic renovation of the club’s backroom operations, designed to complement Flick’s football philosophy and help translate their on-pitch ambitions into sustained, long-term success. As pre-season starts, the club will be keenly focused on integrating the new physiotherapy, training, and nutrition teams with the players, ensuring a cohesive and effective workflow from day one.