Hansi Flick spent Friday morning quelling unrest inside Barcelona after reports claimed he had shown favouritism towards teenage sensation Lamine Yamal over Marcus Rashford.
The German coach launched an expletive-laden defence of his authority, rejecting claims that the club’s hierarchy had interfered with team selection.
Reports in Spain alleged that Barcelona executives had instructed Flick to start Yamal in the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, despite the 18-year-old arriving late for a pre-match meeting.
The decision sparked comparisons with Rashford, who was dropped from the starting line-up against Getafe in September for the same offence.
Suggestions of double standards quickly spread through Catalonia’s sports media, prompting Flick to hit back.
“I’d like to know where you’re getting that rumour from. It’s b*******. It’s not true,” he said.
“At this club, with Deco and the rest of the professionals, I have a real relationship. I believe in my work. I have their trust, and they wouldn’t ask us for it. It’s rubbish. Whoever said it lied.”
Hansi Flick spent Friday morning quelling unrest inside Barcelona after reports claimed he had shown favouritism towards teenage sensation Lamine Yamal over Marcus Rashford
|REUTERS
The 60-year-old’s furious denial comes amid a turbulent spell for the La Liga giants, who have slipped in form following a 2–1 defeat to PSG and a bruising 4–1 loss at Sevilla.
Barcelona remain second in the table, two points behind Real Madrid, but the pressure on Flick has intensified after a promising start to the season faded.
Yamal, the Ballon d’Or runner-up, has battled a groin injury this term but remains a key figure in Flick’s plans, scoring twice and assisting four goals in just five appearances.
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Barcelona boss Hansi Flick didn't hold back when asked about rumours involving Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal
|REUTERS
Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, has also impressed with three goals and five assists in his first ten matches.
Sporting director Deco moved swiftly to downplay any internal division, insisting the club is delighted with the England forward’s adaptation.
“He’s on a simple loan, there’s no penalty, and if we want him, we have an option to buy,” Deco told Mundo Deportivo.
“It’s too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we’re happy with him. What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing. He’s a very high-level player.”
Deco praised Rashford’s resilience following a difficult final year at Manchester United under multiple managers.
“He exploded very early, then had great seasons at United, then more complicated years with changes of coaches," he added.
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a dream start to life at Barcelona
| REUTERS"Perhaps he struggled because they demanded a lot from him there. But we’re happy with him — that’s the most important thing.”
Barcelona signed Rashford after failing to land Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, who joined Bayern Munich for £65million in the summer.
Rashford accepted a 15 per cent pay cut from his £315,000-a-week United salary to complete what he described privately as his “dream move” to the Nou Camp.
The loan deal includes an option to buy for around £27m at the end of the season.
Barcelona return to action against Girona on Saturday (3.15pm).
Whether they can pick up all three points and increase pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the standings remains to be seen.