FC Barcelona appoints new fitness coach Yann Benjamin Kugel to replace Julio Tous
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has secured the appointment of German fitness specialist Yann Benjamin Kugel as the first team’s new physical preparation expert for the 2026/2027 season, replacing Julio Tous. The change follows a season plagued by muscle injuries to key players like Raphinha, Balde, Koundé, and De Jong, which led to player complaints and Flick’s loss of trust in Tous. Kugel previously worked with Flick at Bayern Munich and the German national team, including the 2014 World Cup-winning staff. Tous will move to oversee reserve and youth teams.
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Barcelona Reassigns Fitness Coach Tous, Appoints Flick's Associate Kugel
FC Barcelona has reassigned fitness coach Julio Tous from the first team, replacing him with German fitness coach Benjamin Kugel, a trusted associate of head coach Hansi Flick. The decision follows a season marked by player injuries and loss of confidence in Tous's methods. Key players including Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha experienced injuries or recovery issues, with Raphinha missing a critical El Clásico. Flick, who signed a contract extension until 2028, specifically raised fitness training concerns during negotiations. Despite initial reluctance from club executives, Barcelona ultimately sided with Flick, reflecting full trust in his leadership. Tous will remain at the club in a role focused on reserve and youth teams. Other fitness staff from the 2024 restructuring will stay with the first team.
虎扑 - 足球Barcelona Replaces Fitness Coach Julio Tous with Benjamin Kugel to Solve Training Issues
FC Barcelona has decided to replace first-team fitness coach Julio Tous with German specialist Benjamin Kugel, addressing what the club and manager Hansi Flick identified as last season's biggest problem. Despite winning La Liga and the Supercopa in 2025-26, tensions between players and the fitness staff, led by Tous, had escalated. Key incidents included Alejandro Balde's hamstring injury from incorrect gym equipment use, Lamine Yamal's dissatisfaction with rehab exercises, and Raphinha's multiple hamstring setbacks that caused him to miss a crucial El Clasico. Flick raised the issue during his contract extension talks, and after internal assessment, the club decided to move Tous to reserve and youth team duties. Kugel, 46, previously worked with Flick on Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning staff and has experience at Werder Bremen, PSV, and Benfica. The changes reflect Barcelona's full confidence in Flick's leadership.
Soccer - The AthleticBarcelona Replaces Fitness Coach Benjamin Kugel to Solve Last Season's Training Problems
FC Barcelona has decided to replace fitness coach Julio Tous with German specialist Benjamin Kugel, addressing what the club considers its biggest issue from last season. Despite winning La Liga and the Supercopa in 2025-26, tensions between players and the fitness coaching team led by Tous had escalated. Head coach Hansi Flick raised the topic during contract extension talks, and the club ultimately acted after assessing the situation. Kugel, 46, previously worked with Flick in the German national team setup that won the 2014 World Cup and has experience with Werder Bremen, Koln, PSV, and Benfica. Tous will remain at Barcelona but shift focus to reserve and youth teams. The decision reflects Barcelona's complete faith in Flick, who had pushed for the change following player complaints about training methods, including incidents involving Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha's hamstring injury setbacks.
Soccer - The AthleticHansi Flick Appoints Yann Benjamin Kugel as New Barcelona Fitness Coach
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has selected German Yann Benjamin Kugel as the new fitness coach for the first team, replacing Julio Tous. Tous was reassigned after losing the trust of the coach. The move is intended to strengthen the team's physical preparation and overall performance. Kugel, a German specialist, will take over the fitness responsibilities immediately as part of Flick's efforts to reshape the backroom staff.
Feed MRSS-S fc_barcelona_aFlick selects Yann Benjamin Kugel as new Barcelona fitness coach
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has chosen German specialist Yann Benjamin Kugel as the new head of physical preparation for the first team, replacing Julio Tous. Kugel, a renowned expert in sports science and injury prevention, previously worked with Flick during their time with the German national team, including the 2014 World Cup-winning staff. He also has experience at Werder Bremen, Cologne, and most recently Benfica. Flick lost trust in Tous after issues including Raphinha's double relapse ahead of a Clásico match, and player complaints about Tous' methods. Despite initial club reluctance, Flick's insistence led to the change. Kugel's objectives are to improve physical conditioning for the Champions League and minimize injuries. Other fitness staff members Pepe Conde and Rafa Maldonado remain in their roles.
Feed MRSS-S fc_barcelona_aBarcelona Signs New German Fitness Coach Trusted by Hansi Flick
According to World Sports deputy editor Fernando Polo, FC Barcelona has reached an agreement to hire a new German fitness coach trusted by manager Hansi Flick. The hiring is finalized pending official contract signing. The coach, whose name has not been disclosed, is not Holger Broich (Flick's former Bayern colleague). This move comes after a season plagued by muscle injuries, including setbacks for Raphinha, Balde, Koundé, and De Jong, which frustrated Flick. He publicly criticized the injury management and demanded adjustments to the physical preparation department. Former head of physical preparation Julio Tous has been reassigned to youth teams. The new coach will work alongside existing staff Pepe Conde, Rafa Maldonado, and Germán Fernández. Flick also lost two staff members: analyst Stefan Nopp and Thiago Alcântara. Barcelona resumes pre-season on July 13.
虎扑 - 足球FC Barcelona Manager Hansi Flick Signs New Physical Preparation Expert Holger Broich
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is set to appoint Holger Broich as the club's new physical preparation expert for the 2026/2027 season, with full backing from the club. Broich replaces Julio Tous, who will move to oversee the reserve team and youth prospects. The decision follows a season marred by muscle injuries to key players like Raphinha, Alejandro Balde, Jules Kounde, and Frenkie de Jong, which led to Flick and players raising concerns. Broich previously worked with Flick at Bayern Munich, where they won a sextuple including the 2019/2020 Champions League. The agreement is already in place, pending final approval from President Joan Laporta and the board.
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