Hansi Flick Calls Yamal Rumors 'Garbage'; Barcelona Coach Denies Power Struggle With Deco

Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick didn’t just deny the rumors, he absolutely torched them. At a fiery press conference on Friday, October 17, 2025, Flick responded to swirling reports about a disciplinary issue with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and honestly, he held nothing back.

Key Takeaways

Hansi Flick vehemently denied rumors that Lamine Yamal was late for a team meeting before the PSG Champions League match.
He labeled the reports as “garbage” and “totally bulls—“ during a press conference.
Allegations suggested Sporting Director Deco overruled Flick’s decision to bench Yamal as punishment.
Flick insisted Deco would not interfere with his coaching decisions, dismissing talks of a club power struggle.
Yamal is currently recovering from a groin injury and is expected to return around October 20, 2025.

So, What Was the Rumor?

Look, the story that’s been making the rounds is pretty dramatic. It claimed that Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s young star, showed up late for a crucial team meeting right before their big Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain. You know Hansi Flick, he’s known for his strict discipline.

The reports alleged that Flick wanted to bench Yamal for the PSG clash as a consequence. But here’s the twist. The story goes that Sporting Director Deco stepped in, overturned Flick’s decision, and made sure Yamal was in the starting lineup. It painted a picture of serious internal conflict.

Flick’s Explosive Denial

Yeah, Flick wasn’t having any of it. He faced the media and shut it all down in the strongest possible terms. “It’s garbage. It’s totally bulls—,” he stated bluntly. He made it crystal clear that Yamal had no punctuality problems and that the entire story was a fabrication.

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He also directly addressed the supposed clash with Deco. Flick was adamant that his sporting director would never interfere with his team selections or coaching decisions. He presented a united front, dismissing any idea of a power struggle within the club’s leadership.

Is There a Deeper Issue at Barça?

But honestly, why did this rumor gain so much traction? It touches on some real nerves around the club.

Expert Analysis

Some insiders are labeling this a “politically motivated” attack. The idea is that someone might be trying to destabilize the club’s leadership by creating drama between the coach and the sporting director. It raises questions about who benefits from this kind of chaos.

Social Media Storm

On social media, you can see the divide. Fans are worried about Yamal’s off-field lifestyle and the perception of inconsistent discipline. They point to other players like Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Inaki Pena, who were reportedly benched for similar issues. This makes the alleged intervention for Yamal look like favoritism to some.

What Happens Next?

For now, Yamal is focused on recovery. He picked up a groin injury after playing the full match against PSG and is expected to be back around October 20. But the questions Flick’s outburst raised won’t disappear so easily. He put on a strong face, but the rumors hint at underlying tensions.

So, was this just a media storm in a teacup, or is there a real fire brewing behind the scenes at Barcelona? What do you think?

Hansi Flick Calls Yamal Rumors ‘Garbage’; Barcelona Coach Denies Power Struggle With Deco

Key Takeaways

So, What Was the Rumor?