Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has revealed whether or not Hansi Flick wanted him at Barcelona.
Sheffield Wednesday gave Danny Rohl his first role as a manager last year, hiring him in October 2023 when the club were winless in the Championship.
Rohl eventually steered the Owls to a 20th place finish in the Championship, garnering huge praise for his work, and admiration from rival clubs too.
Hull City and Sunderland were both linked with Rohl. But Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri quickly worked on a new deal for Rohl, handing him a three-year contract.
Rohl, 35, is the English Football League’s youngest manager. He made his name working under Hansi Flick, being his no.2 at Bayern Munich and with the German national team.
Rohl also has prior experiences of working with Red Bull Leipzig and Southampton, though it’s under Flick where he learned his craft.
Flick attended a Sheffield Wednesday game under Rohl last season, watching the Owls beat Plymouth Argyle 1-0 at Hillsborough.
Danny Rohl discusses Hansi Flick Barcelona rumours
When Flick took charge of Barcelona in May, there was speculation, mainly on social media, that Flick might look to reunite with Rohl at Camp Nou.
Asked whether or not he was contacted by Flick to join him at Barcelona, Rohl said on the Training Ground Guru Podcast: “Not this year.
“I think there was some rumours, three years ago, about this step as well. There was no question mark to join him.
“But I think now, I start my own career as a manager. I start my own journey. It was very clear for me that I want to stay and I want to improve myself as a manager.
“I wish Hansi all the best. We are still in contact.”
Danny Rohl has just dropped a Sheffield Wednesday transfer hint
It always seemed unlikely that Rohl would drop what he’s already built at Sheffield Wednesday to become an assistant manager again, albeit at a huge club like Barcelona.
But as soon as Flick arrived at Barcelona, many Sheffield Wednesday fans online speculated at the possibility of Flick lending Rohl some youngsters during the summer transfer window.
The fact that Rohl is still in touch with Flick may hint at that being possible, and it could be great for the Owls.
Given the fact that Flick and Rohl worked closely together, and that Rohl undoubtedly learned a lot of what he knows from Flick, the new Barca manager may entrust some of his younger players to play and train under Rohl next season.
Flick will know that these youngsters will be training and playing in a similar style to what he wants at Barcelona and so it could make total sense for him to give Rohl and Sheffield Wednesday some players on loan.
That would be something for later in the window, though, when Barca have done the bulk of their summer transfer business.