Headline: Shkodran Mustafi Observes Barcelona Training as Part of Coaching Development
According to Carlos Monfort of SPORT, former Arsenal and Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi visited the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to observe the first-team players of Barcelona during their training session led by Hansi Flick.
The ex-Germany international, who currently serves as the assistant manager for the U21 national team, is in Catalonia for a short visit and took the chance to learn about Flick’s coaching techniques.
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Mustafi observes Barcelona training
Reports indicate that Mustafi’s visit occurred a day after he attended a match involving Barcelona’s Juvenil A squad against Aston Villa in the UEFA Youth League.
Flick personally invited the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion to observe his coaching style.
Marcus Sorg, assistant to the Barcelona manager, guided Mustafi around the facilities, allowing him to closely witness the operations of the coaching staff.
Mustafi visited Barcelona’s training facilities. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images for DFB)
Mustafi concluded his professional playing career in 2024 and soon began his coaching path, initially with the Germany U17 team and later as an assistant to Antonio Di Salvo with the U21 setup.
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At just 34 years old, Mustafi is early in his coaching career, and witnessing Flick’s work at Barcelona will serve as an invaluable learning experience for the former Arsenal defender.
Not the first visitor
Mustafi is not the first coach to take time to observe training sessions at Barcelona under Flick’s direction.
In February of this year, Edin Terzic, along with Sebastian Geppert, visited the Blaugrana training facilities to gain insights from Flick ahead of Terzic’s appointment as manager of Athletic Club, where Geppert later joined him as an assistant.
Flick doing a brilliant job at Barcelona. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
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The interest from coaches in observing Flick’s methods is understandable, as he has achieved remarkable success since taking over at Barcelona in 2024.
In his two full seasons with the club, the German manager has secured five trophies while instilling a dynamic and attacking style of play in the team.
Barcelona will return to the pitch on Sunday, facing Atletico Madrid in a crucial La Liga clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
