Flick’s Secret to Eight Unbeaten Finals

Barcelona secured the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah with a thrilling 3–2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid, further cementing Hansi Flick’s reputation as one of football’s most successful coaches in high-stakes finals. For Flick, this marked his third final with Barcelona—and remarkably, his third consecutive triumph.

What makes this achievement particularly striking is that each of these finals pitted Barcelona against their long-standing adversaries, Real Madrid. Last season, the Catalan giants had already claimed both the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, and now they have added another Super Cup trophy under Flick’s guidance.

Flick’s coaching pedigree extends well beyond Spain. During his tenure at Bayern Munich, he also maintained a flawless record in finals, securing victories in five major matches. In 2020 alone, Flick led Bayern to triumph in the German Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the German Super Cup. Altogether, across eight finals with two clubs, the German tactician remains unbeaten—a rare feat in modern football.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Flick downplayed the notion of a secret formula behind his success. “There is no hidden strategy in winning finals,” he said. “It simply comes down to scoring one more goal than the opposition.” He emphasised that the credit belongs to the players’ mental resilience and confidence. Flick also noted that he does not dwell on past successes, preferring to focus on the present.

He added, “Winning a final, especially in a match as iconic as El Clásico, is always special. I am proud of the team’s performance. Barcelona maintained control throughout the match and played the style of football they are known for.”

The table below summarises Hansi Flick’s unbeaten record in finals across his coaching career:

Flick’s exceptional consistency highlights not only his tactical acumen but also his ability to instil confidence and composure in his squads. His record demonstrates that, in finals, psychological strength and team cohesion often outweigh complex strategies.