​Barcelona have reportedly completed the signing of a new German fitness coach who is trusted by Hansi Flick to bolster the club’s coaching staff ahead of the next season, according to Mundo Deportivo. The move follows Julio Tous’s departure from his first-team role. Although the coach’s identity has not yet been disclosed, an agreement has been reached and only final paperwork and an official announcement remain.
The new arrival is described as a German fitness expert who has previously worked with Flick and is someone the Barcelona manager knows well. His contract is in place, awaiting formal approval from the club’s executives before the move is made official. This appointment signals further trust from Barcelona’s hierarchy in Flick, providing him with a trusted member of his own staff to lead the physical preparation department. While the coach’s identity is still under wraps, it has been confirmed that Holger Broich will not be taking the role. Broich, who worked with Flick at Bayern Munich and had been linked with Barcelona, declined the opportunity.
Injury problems were a recurring issue for Flick at Barcelona last season, with hamstring injuries troubling several players. Raphinha suffered a hamstring recurrence just before the first league Clasico in October, and Flick acknowledged mistakes in the recovery process at that time. The situation worsened in March when Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde sustained muscle injuries during the Copa del Rey comeback against Atletico Madrid, and Frenkie de Jong also faced a muscular issue earlier. These repeated injuries prompted Flick to seek changes within the club’s physical preparation department.
Julio Tous will stay at Barcelona in a new capacity, overseeing the physical development of Barça Atletic players and the club’s top U19 prospects, helping to ready them for future first-team action. If no further changes are made, the new German fitness coach will work alongside the current fitness staff of Pepe Conde, Rafa Maldonado, and German Fernandez.
In the meantime, Flick has also seen the departure of two staff members since the previous season—trusted analyst Stephan Nopp and former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara—while the first-team squad is set to report back for pre-season preparations.