Sophia
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has achieved a significant personal milestone, securing his 50th victory at the helm of the Catalan giants just seven matches into his second season. This achievement places him in elite company and, notably, ahead of legendary manager Pep Guardiola in the club’s illustrious history.
Comeback Victory Seals the Deal
On Thursday night, Barcelona mounted a resilient comeback, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Real Oviedo 3-1. This crucial victory not only keeps them within striking distance of Real Madrid, trailing by just two points after six La Liga games, but also etched Flick’s name into the club’s record books.
Flick’s Rapid Ascent to 50 Wins
The win against Oviedo marked Flick’s 50th triumph since taking over last summer. He reached this impressive milestone in a mere 67 games across all competitions. This makes him the second-fastest Barcelona manager in the 21st century to achieve this feat, surpassed only by current Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique, who needed 60 games.
What makes Flick’s achievement particularly noteworthy is that he reached the 50-win mark faster than Pep Guardiola, widely considered the most successful manager in Blaugrana history. Guardiola required 71 games to secure his 50th win with Barcelona.
Flick’s Impressive Tenure So Far
In his 67 matches with the Catalans, Flick boasts an impressive record of 50 wins, eight draws, and nine losses. Under his guidance, Barcelona have been prolific in front of goal, scoring 195 goals – the most of any team in Europe’s top five leagues since the start of last season. This offensive firepower highlights the exciting brand of “FlickBall” that has captivated fans.
Joining an Exclusive Club
Flick is now the sixth Barcelona manager of the 21st century to reach the 50-win milestone, joining an esteemed list that includes Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Ernesto Valverde, and Xavi Hernández.
Here’s how they stack up in terms of games needed to reach 50 wins:
| Rank | Barcelona Manager | Games Until Win No. 50 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Luis Enrique | 60 |
| 2. | Hansi Flick | 67 |
| 3. | Pep Guardiola | 71 |
| 4. | Ernesto Valverde | 72 |
| 5. | Xavi Hernández | 77 |
| 6. | Frank Rijkaard | 83 |
Only Luis Enrique managed to achieve 50 wins within a single season, a feat he accomplished during his debut 2014-15 campaign, which culminated in Barcelona’s historic second treble. Before the new millennium, only Helenio Herrera reached 50 wins faster than Flick, doing so in 63 games in the late 1950s.
A Season of Triumphs and Records
Since Flick’s appointment, Barcelona has enjoyed a period of significant success. The positive results have already led to the club’s first-ever domestic treble and a historic four-game sweep of bitter rivals Real Madrid last season – a feat only achieved once before in El Clásico history.
Adding to the club’s recent success, Barcelona Femení manager Pere Romeu, who joined the club concurrently with Flick, also reached his 50-win milestone last weekend with a dominant 5-0 victory against Sevilla.
As Barcelona looks ahead, the focus shifts to maintaining this winning momentum. The team will aim for win No. 51 under Flick when they face Real Sociedad on Sunday night, hoping for an abundance of goals, victories, and silverware in the seasons to come.
Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die-hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan.
