Discipline revolution: Hansi Flick's punctuality push at Barça
Coach Hansi Flick has introduced a new level of discipline in the FC Barcelona dressing room, with punctuality being his key focus. According to the "Mundo Deportivo" daily, Jules Kounde irritated the German coach with a minor delay.
Hansi Flick took over as the coach of FC Barcelona before the season commenced. He established a set of rules in the dressing room that players must follow.
Punctuality is of utmost importance in Hansi Flick's regime. In one instance, the FC Barcelona coach penalised Inaki Pena for being late.
The "Mundo Deportivo" daily also unveiled details of a tense situation between Hansi Flick and Jules Kounde in February. Kounde, a French defender, arrived late for a pre-match briefing and faced the coach's displeasure.
Hansi Flick displayed a starkly different side to his typically calm demeanour seen on television during matches. In the Torre Melia Gran Melia hotel, he closed the door to a room and had a loud discussion with Jules Kounde. The argument was so intense that other FC Barcelona players could hear it.
The repercussions didn't stop at a verbal reprimand. Jules Kounde was fined financially. Moreover, he was excluded from the starting line-up for FC Barcelona's match against Rayo Vallecano. The Catalan side won 1-0, with the tardy Kounde only coming on in the second half to replace Hector Fort.
It's a rule, a norm. It's about respecting the team ... The others have to wait for you and it's disrespectful - says Hansi Flick.
