Hans-Dieter “Hansi” Flick, a German professional football manager and former player, was born on February 24, 1965.
Flick had played for SV Sandhausen, Bayern Munich, and 1. FC Köln before beginning his coaching career as a player-manager at Victoria Bammental in the fourth level.
Flick took over as manager of 1899 Hoffenheim, a fellow fourth-division club, in 2000 and guided them to promotion to the Regionalliga Süd before departing in 2005. From 2006 to 2014, he served as Germany’s assistant coach under Joachim Löw, helping the team win the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He then became the sporting director of the German Football Association until 2017.
Flick joined Bayern Munich as an assistant coach in 2019 and took over as interim manager in November 2019 when Niko Kovač left. He was then given permanent status and won the UEFA Champions League that season, completing the club’s second continental treble. In 2021, he guided Bayern Munich to the FIFA Club World Cup and another Bundesliga victory.
Flick, like Pep Guardiola, is one of just two managers to have achieved a sextuple with his team. In 2021, he succeeded Löw as manager of the German national team, leading them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, he was fired in 2023 following a string of dismal results.
Hansi Flick’s Playing Career
Hansi Flick was a midfielder who played 104 games for Bayern Munich and scored five goals between 1985 and 1990. During this time, he won four Bundesliga championships, one DFB-Pokal title, and appeared in the 1987 European Cup Final. Flick went on to play 44 matches for Köln before retiring from professional football in 1993 due to injury. His final season as a footballer was with Victoria Bammental from 1994 to 2000.
Flick never played for the German national football team, however he did feature twice for the Germany under-18 squad in the group stage of the 1983 UEFA European Under-18 Championship. On May 15 and 17, 1983, he scored 1-0 against Sweden and 3-1 against Bulgaria.
Hansi Flick tactics and style of play
Hansi Flick has had remarkable success as a manager using a 4-2-3-1 formation. He employed this shape frequently during his time at Bayern Munich and has largely stuck with it for the German national team.
Flick’s style of play revolves around pressing and counter-attacks. Bayern Munich was especially effective under his leadership in regaining possession of the ball and immediately punishing opponents in the final third. In possession, Flick’s teams often have strong offensive options, while center midfielders provide defensive cover.
Defensively, Flick advocates a high backline, which makes Germany vulnerable to counter-attacks while trapping rival teams in their own half. Flick’s teams have averaged more than two goals each game, demonstrating his offensive philosophy.
Hansi Flick trophies won
As a player:
- Bundesliga: 1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90
- DFB-Pokal: 1985/86
- DFB-Supercup: 1987
As a manager:
- Bundesliga: 2019/20, 2020/21
- DFB-Pokal: 2019/20
- DFL-Supercup: 2020
- UEFA Champions League: 2019/20
- UEFA Super Cup: 2020
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2020
