Even before his team was about to take the pitch against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick was asked about his relationship with sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic during his pregame media availability.
In typical Flick fashion, he answered diplomatically even if the timing of the query left a lot to be desired.
“It’s not about Brazzo or me. It’s about the entire club. He does his job, I do my job,” Flick said (as captured by Tz). “We focus on what is most important for the club. I’m clearly focused on the team. We have to go all-in today. It doesn’t mean that we’re running headless, but playing wisely. To make courageous decisions, to think along for others. Every single fiber in the body must want victory.”
Flick handled the question with aplomb. He deflected any type of bait and turned it into a focus on what the team needed to do.
Of course, Bayern Munich went on to win 1-0, but ultimately lost 3-3 on aggregate due to PSG’s three away goals (perhaps the lamest rule in sports).
In the postgame fracas, however, Lothar Matthaus quickly made the proclamation that the PSG loss would be Flick’s final Champions League game with the club:
Lothar Matthäus to Sky Germany: "That was Hansi Flick's last Champions League game as coach of FC Bayern. He is first choice at the DFB to succeed Joachim Löw. He will accept the offer. in the summer." #FCBayern #DFB
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) April 13, 2021
Clearly, there are at least a few more weeks of questions surrounding this topic on the horizon.