Flick Returns Early to Start Barcelona's Pre-Season Preparations

Hans Flick, the head coach of FC Barcelona, is preparing to return to the Joan Gamper City starting today, ahead of the official start of the club's pre-season preparations.

According to "Mundo Deportivo," the first team will return to training on July 13 after the break.

The German coach prefers to arrive several days early to oversee all arrangements for the start of work and ensure every detail is ready before the pre-season program kicks off.

Additionally, new fitness coach Benjamin Kogler will begin his work with the coaching staff, having joined Barcelona at Flick's direct request, alongside the return of several other staff members.

Meanwhile, some first-team players, such as Marc Bernal, Gerard Martin, and Fermín López, have started to arrive at the training facility, although their official return will be next Monday.

The same source added that Barcelona will finalize the names of reserve and youth players who will join the pre-season preparations in the coming days to compensate for the absence of players participating in the World Cup or those on vacation.

Barcelona will play their first friendly match against Europe on July 24, before traveling to St George's Park in England for a training camp from July 27 to August 3.