21/03/2006: The day Flick decided he wanted to coach Barça

May 29 was the first day that Hansi Flick officially became FC Barcelona coach. Less than two months later, the German coach has sat down to discuss his first few weeks' involvement in the Club's day to day activities, going into a little more detail about his relationship with Barça, to the extent that he told of the day when he decided he wanted to become Barça's coach one day.

A comeback win against Getafe, with Flick watching on

The specific moment was the night of March 21, 2006. That day saw Barça defeat Getafe 3-1, leaving Flick enthralled, the recently turned 41 year old having been invited by Nike to watch the match from the main stand. "I had a sport shop for more than 23 years and I was always invited by Nike, because I was the top seller of team sport products in Germany at this time, for five or six years", recalls Flick in an exclusive interview on Barça One.

"One day I want to coach here"

On that occasion he recalls that "it was Getafe with Bernd Schuster and I said "one day I want to coach here", and I reached it". And to understand why he had so much clarity, you have to go back to that day and that Barça side. This wonderful team would go on to win the Champions League in Paris, but the Barça v Getafe game that day was a full on festival. It was a difficult match, as the Madrid side went ahead after 5 minutes through a goal by Nano. However, Rijkaard's Barça drew level after an own goal, provoked in no small part by Giuly, before a hungry Samuel Eto'o grabbed a brace in the second half.

Guest at Ronaldinho's party

That Barça was the unsurmountable leader of LaLiga, with the win taking them 14 points ahead of Real Madrid, and their play delighting the culers, who made every game a party. Literally and coincidentally, that day was the birthday of the world's best player, Ronaldinho, who turned 26. The comeback encouraged the Camp Nou to even sing "Happy Birthday" to him, to which he responded with his famous smile, after once again putting on a show on the pitch, with no success in front of goal this time, but showing his wonderful skills.

A great night for Eto'o and Puyol

Another star name that night was Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroon forward rescued his side with two strikers' goals that meant much more than just the three points. The first was his 100th goal in LaLiga, and he had time to show his hunger by completing a brace with goal 101. If that wasn't enough for Flick to feel the blaugrana party atmosphere, that day Carles Puyol also played his 200th match for the first team.

Many reasons why Hansi Flick was enthralled with Barça. It's been over 18 years since he said "I want to coach here", but he's here now.