Hansi Flick breaks into Barcelona’s top five for La Liga leadership

Hansi Flick has moved into the top five of Barcelona’s all-time list for the number of La Liga matchweeks spent at the top of the table, achieving the feat faster than any of the four coaches above him.

The German has led Barcelona to first place for 61 of the 81 La Liga matchweeks in which he has been in charge. That represents 75% of the league rounds managed by Flick, who has kept his side at the summit since the start of the current season.

The figures were revealed by renowned statistician Pedro Martin and reported by Mundo Deportivo. Flick’s total takes him beyond Terry Venables, who guided Barcelona to the top of the table for 60 matchweeks across three full seasons.

Flick reached the milestone in only two seasons and the beginning of his third campaign. The pace of his progress sets his achievement apart from the four coaches ahead of him, all of whom required a significantly longer period in charge to accumulate their totals.

Pep Guardiola sits at the top of the ranking after leading Barcelona for 87 matchweeks during four seasons. Frank Rijkaard is second with 85 matchweeks across five seasons, while Ernesto Valverde occupies third place with 80 in three seasons.

Rinus Michels is fourth, having spent 63 matchweeks at the top during six seasons. Flick is now only two matchweeks away from overtaking him and moving into fourth place in the club’s historical standings.

Flick’s position is even more notable when compared with several other managers who enjoyed long spells in charge of Barcelona. Johan Cruyff led the club to the summit for 59 matchweeks over eight complete seasons, one fewer than Flick’s current total.

Louis van Gaal recorded 58 matchweeks at the top during four seasons, while Luis Enrique reached 55 in three seasons. Both managers are now behind Flick despite their time in charge.

The figures underline the speed with which Flick has established Barcelona as La Liga leaders. His 61 matchweeks at the summit have come in a shorter period than any of the coaches above or immediately below him in the ranking, putting him within touching distance of Michels and on course to challenge Guardiola’s record of 87.