Hansi Flick achieved his greatest success with Barca even before the title weeks

Hansi Flick isn't exactly known for his emotional outbursts. Even during big wins, the football coach maintains a stoic expression and doesn't allow any insight into his inner self.

His permanent grin on Sunday night was all the more remarkable. In the golden confetti shower at Seville's La Cartuja stadium, his medal around his neck made him shine brighter than the stars above.

But it shouldn’t spoil Barca’s celebrations.

The Catalans not only defeated their greatest nemesis, they also clinched their first title of the season. And there's every indication that it won't be their only medal of the season.

Barcelona is on its way to the treble – the greatest possible success for a club team in a single season. Cup? Check! Champions League? Semifinals! League? Top of the table by four points.

Hansi Flick has once again created a "bestia blaugrana" at Barcelona. His signing last summer was highly controversial. From club icon Xavi to Flick – a perceived loss of charisma.

Flick had previously failed miserably as coach of the German national team. A disgraceful group-round exit at the 2022 World Cup, only a single win in the 2023 calendar year, and then the embarrassing 4-1 defeat in Wolfsburg against Japan, which would spell the end for him.

Flick's reputation was ruined – at least in Germany. His arrival in Barcelona was met with ridicule, even mockery, here. But in Spain, they had other memories of him. For example, the historic 2020 Champions League quarterfinal, when a Barca team led by legend Lionel Messi lost 8-2 to FC Bayern, coached by Hansi Flick.

Flick won the sextuple title with Munich at the end of the season—only the second coach ever to do so, after Pep Guardiola with Barca. However, after working with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic in Munich became increasingly difficult, Flick moved to the German Football Association (DFB) as the successor to his former mentor Jogi Löw. In the fast-paced world of football, his successes with Bayern were quickly forgotten.

But because things can move so quickly in football, Flick is now back on top. Within just one season, he has restored sporting structure to the giant that had been plunged into chaos. With iron discipline and the courage to embrace youth, Flick has built a monster. This risky football is paying off – especially in top matches.

Flick has also painted the El Clasico between Madrid and Barcelona in Catalan colors after four consecutive defeats. A 4-0 victory at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg of the league, a 5-2 victory in the Supercopa final, and now a 3-2 victory in the Copa del Rey. Real's final-winning streak has been shattered.

Important, decisive weeks still lie ahead for Flick and Barcelona: the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, the final rounds of La Liga – with another Clasico on May 11, and a local derby with Espanyol.

FC Barcelona is the big favorite for both titles. This fact alone makes Flick a big winner – regardless of whether the club ultimately wins the trophies.

Having humiliated German clubs, tamed the great rival, revived the pride of FC Barcelona, ​​and restored its reputation – Flick has long since achieved his greatest success.