Hansi Flick admits mistakes in Marc-Andre ter Stegen debacle but says 'everyone' at Barcelona wanted Joan Garcia

Tensions soared between Ter Stegen and Barcelona after the goalkeeper found himself demoted as the Catalan club secured the signing of Garcia from Espanyol. With Ter Stegen recovering from back surgery after a difficult battle with knee injuries, Barca were able to use part of the German’s salary allocation to register their new first choice shot stopper. They were only allowed to do so after the 33-year-old signed a medical release, which he initially refused to do, resulting in him being temporarily stripped of the captaincy.

At the Sport Bild awards in Hamburg, Flick addressed the heated situation around Ter Stegen’s demotion and Garcia’s rise. 

"With Joan Garcia, we have a very young, talented goalkeeper who is at a very high level," he said. "Everyone decided together that he should be the future of Barca. So, ultimately, it was clear what our approach would be.

"Whether everything has always been so good in terms of communication [with Ter Stegen]... I think there's a lot that can be improved. From my side too."

Flick emphasised he wants Ter Stegen to feel backed by the club as he recovers, but notably refused to guarantee him game time once fit, adding: "It's important to me that Marc and the club have come closer together and have genuinely sought communication. For me, it's now important that Marc comes back. He's a top goalkeeper! He'll get all the support he needs from us so he can truly play at his level again."

The saga extends beyond the pitch with Ter Stegen’s refusal to sign a medical report delayed Garcia’s registration, creating friction between player and club. His captaincy was briefly stripped in the fallout, underlining how sour relations had become.

With the issue cleared up, though, Ter Stegen can focus on his recovery ahead of his expected return later this year. With the 2026 World Cup looming and Germany’s No.1 shirt still within reach, playing time will be everything. His recovery timeline could dictate whether he pushes for a new club in January or attempts to reclaim his place at Camp Nou.

With Ter Stegen out of the picture for the time being, Garcia will keep his place as the No. 1 under Flick when Barca face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday. In the meantime, the club will hope to wrap up the registration of Wojciech Szczesny and the departure of Inaki Pena.