Flick clings to first place; the German fifth in the club’s history for weeks spent on top

Hansi Flick is Barcelona’s coach of records. The German began a journey that at first was met with much skepticism by the Catalan club’s fans. But time is proving the coach right, who has led the Spanish championship for a full 61 weeks out of 81 possible weeks.

In this special ranking he has left behind big names such as Luis Enrique, Louis van Gaal, and even Johan Cruyff and Terry Venables.

Doing better than Flick for now are only names like Guardiola, who led Barcelona to La Liga for a full 87 weeks in four seasons, or Frank Rijkaard with 85 weeks at the helm of the Spanish championship. A.V.

BARÇA COACHES AND NUMBER OF WEEKS AT THE TOP OF LA LIGA:

Pep Guardiola 87 matchdays (4 seasons)

Frank Rijkaard 85 (4 seasons)

Ernesto Valverde 80 (3 seasons)

Rinus Michels 63 (6 seasons)

HANSI FLICK 61 (2 seasons, just started his third)

Terry Venables 60 (3 seasons)

Johan Cruyff 59 (8 seasons)

Louis van Gaal 58 (4 seasons)

Luis Enrique 55 (3 seasons)