Shkodran Mustafi, the former Arsenal and Valencia defender who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, spent a day inside FC Barcelona’s inner circle this week, attending a UEFA Youth League match at the Camp Nou and then watching the first team train at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, SPORT reported.

The visit, which came while Mustafi was spending a few days in the Catalan capital, is the latest sign that Hansi Flick’s methods are drawing interest from coaches across the game. Mustafi attended Barcelona’s Youth League match against Aston Villa at the Camp Nou, and the following day Flick invited him to the club’s training ground to observe a first-team session up close.

Marcus Sorg Hosts a Familiar Face

Mustafi was received by Barcelona assistant coach Marcus Sorg, an old acquaintance who shares a background in German football with the former international. Sorg, one of Flick’s most trusted lieutenants, acted as host for a visit that gave Mustafi a firsthand look at how the Barcelona coaching staff operates.

From Playing Boots to the Bench

Mustafi’s interest in Flick’s work is not casual. After retiring as a player in 2024, the 34-year-old German moved into coaching, first joining the staff of Germany’s under-17 national team and, since August 2025, serving as assistant coach of the under-21 side under Antonio Di Salvo. Watching Flick’s sessions in Barcelona gave him a direct look at the preparation methods and demands that define the German coach’s work with the Blaugrana.

Edin Terzic Set the Precedent

Mustafi is not the first coach to use a trip to Barcelona as a chance to study Flick. On Feb. 25, SPORT reported, former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic also visited the Ciutat Esportiva, accompanied by Sebastian Geppert, now his assistant at Athletic Club. Terzic watched a training session and spoke with Flick about his methodology; months later, in May, he was officially appointed as Athletic Club’s head coach.

The visits underline the pull of Flick’s project at Barcelona, which has combined strong results with a clearly defined footballing identity — a combination that continues to attract attention from coaching peers.