Robert Lewandowski reacts to Barcelona's interest in Hansi Flick

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has given a positive endorsement of Hansi Flick but refused to address speculation about the German coach being appointed Xavi's replacement.

Flick has been linked with the end of season vacancy at Camp Nou, with one report claiming that contact with the ex-German national team boss has already been made to gauge his interest in making the move.

Lewandowski was asked for his thoughts at an event but said little of the rumour.

"Who's the coach now? Xavi. Well, that's it," he replied, via Marca. "I know Flick, he's a good person."

Lewandowski previously worked with Flick at former club Bayern Munich. He was initially hired as an assistant to Niko Kovac in the summer of 2019, but was promoted to interim boss just four months later, and then permanent head coach a few weeks after that.

Under Flick's guidance, Bayern won the Champions League in 2020 as part of a treble alongside the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal. His tenure included a 23-game winning streak across all competitions and finished in 2021 with seven trophies. He had a contract at the Allianz Arena until 2023 but was poached to lead the German national team following Euro 2020.

Flick had previously been a long-time assistant to Germany coach Joachim Low between 2006 and 2014, playing a role in the country’s 2014 World Cup triumph, but his own spell in charge proved somewhat disastrous after a group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.

Jurgen Klopp has been linked once Xavi leaves in summer but is unlikely to go straight into a new job after citing diminishing energy levels as his reason for stepping down at Liverpool. Mikel Arteta has pushed back on claims he could leave Arsenal, while Thomas Tuchel is another named linked. Current Barca B coach Rafa Marquez is an obvious contender but lacks experience.

READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP