Marc-André ter Stegen (left) and Hansi Flick. © APA/afp / JOSEP LAGO

He should stay: Flick supports ter Stegen

Coach Hansi Flick has spoken out in favor of injured goalkeeper and team captain Marc-André ter Stegen remaining at FC Barcelona.

August 15, 2025

From: dpa/det

"The most important thing is that we talk about it together and he can play at his high level again. He needs to recover and come back, that's the most important thing," Flick said at the press conference before Saturday's league start at RCD Mallorca. It's about "he being able to help the team; we're behind him," Flick emphasized.

There had been repeated rumors that the club wanted to get rid of the highly paid ter Stegen. After his back surgery, the 33-year-old initially resisted the submission of the report on his medical condition to the medical committee of the Spanish Football League. The club initiated disciplinary proceedings and removed him as team captain. Ter Stegen later agreed, and the league classified his injury as a long-term injury. The disciplinary proceedings were dropped, and ter Stegen became captain again.

There was a summer theater performance around ter Stegen. © APA/afp / JOSEP LAGO

His classification as a long-term injured player is important for the club for financial reasons. In this case, according to the club's statutes, Barça can use 80 percent of an injured player's salary to register a new player. This paved the way for Joan Garcia to be registered as ter Stegen's replacement.

Flick: “Not particularly happy”

The fact that this hadn't happened yet, just like with striker Marcus Rashford, even a day before the first league match against Real Mallorca, apparently worries Flick. "For me, this is a situation that doesn't make me particularly happy. I trust the club; we have to wait until tomorrow. It was the same last season. We're concentrating on what we can influence," he replied to a journalist's question.