Hansi Flick mourns father on day Barcelona clinch LaLiga - ESPN

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said it had been a «tough day» after guiding his team to the LaLiga title against Real Madrid just hours after learning of the death of his father.

Flick was given the news on the morning of Sunday's Clásico and took the decision to remain in Barcelona and be in the dugout for the game.

He witnessed goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres to secure a 2-0 win against Madrid as Barça clinched back-to-back Spanish championships.

«It's been a tough day,» Flick said in the postgame news conference. «It started in the morning and, well, I'll never forget this day. This morning, my mum called me and she said that my father passed away. And so I think: Should I hide it or should I speak with my team? Because for me, it's like a family.

»And I said, 'OK, I want to get the information also to the players.' And what they are doing was unbelievable. I will never forget this moment."

«I want to say thank you to everyone, thank you for everything, thanks for really fighting,» he continued. «I really appreciate everything a lot. This is like a family.»

Players from both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the passing of Flick's father, and a minute's silence was held before kickoff.

Barça's players celebrated both goals with Flick effusively, later throwing him up into the air in celebration after wrapping up the 29th LaLiga title in the club's history.

«I have never felt [so much love as today],» Flick added. «It's amazing.»

Barça have been the dominant force in Spain since Flick was appointed as coach in the summer of 2024.

They have won five of the six domestic trophies available to them — only missing out on this season's Copa del Rey — but they have fallen short in the Champions