Hansi Flick tips cap to “best league in the world” and he’s not talking about LaLiga
Barcelona have a Round of 16 date with Newcastle United this week, and the “cules” manager had no doubts in crowing the top league in the world.
Barcelona are prepping for the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie with Newcastle United. Hansi Flick made his obligatory press appearance before Tuesday’s match and was sure to laud the Premier League as the best in the world.
Flick expecting fiery St. James’ Park
Flick previewed the catalans match on Tuesday against a Newcastle team he is expecting to put up a fight at St. James’ Park in front of what will be a rowdy stadium full of Magpies. “Tomorrow we will find here in the stadium a fantastic atmosphere,” he said. “The fans will support their team and Newcastle play a very intense game.”
🚨🏴 Hansi Flick: “Hansi Flick: "The Premier League is best league in the world”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2026
“It’s incredible, they have a lot of money and can make decisions... We are as strong as they are and we have to play with our philosophy and show it to the world”. pic.twitter.com/0aUxDvDwEf
The Barca boss not only gave credit to the clubs and the players in England, but he acknowledged a part of the league that maybe the Spanish league doesn’t have the luxury of counting on. “The Premier League is a great league. For me it is the best league in the world. They have strong teams and a lot of money to make the right decisions,” said Flick
Barcelona’s opponents are one of six English sides in the Round of 16, and have proven to the rest of the continent that they have the deepest, most competitive league in all of Europe. Newcastle are currently 12 in the Premier League, but their European dreams remain intact after beating Qarabag FK in the playoff.
Barca looking to end decade long spell
The Magpies aren’t the only English side that is hanging in the lower half of the Premier League table. Tottenham, who won the Europa League last year and finished in the league phase in the Champions in fourth place, is in 16th in England sitting just a point over the relegation zone. Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are the other teams looking to bring England a Champions League title for the first time since 2019.
The confirmed round of 16 draw ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/PVhNIIZngZ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 27, 2026
For Flick, the most important thing isn’t worrying about where their opponents play in the domestic league, the most important thing to focus on is sticking to their identity. “It is not only the Premier League teams. We have to continue our way and our style. This is our philosophy. We want to play like Barca, even in the Champions League,” said the German manager.
Barcelona haven´t won the Champions League in over a decade, but have landed on the “easier”side of the draw. There are three English sides they could potentially face, with Arsenal and Tottenham landing on that side of the draw, but Flick will be only focused on how his squad are playing. The blaugrana are also leading Real Madrid in LaLiga by four points in what looks to be a two horse race in Spain.
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