The Barcelona coach won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in the year 2020.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick admits he does not want his young family members seeing the behavior that led to his red card during the match against Girona.
The 60-year-old received a yellow card for mocking applause the fourth official when he indicated additional time of injury time, following the team's wasted opportunities with the game tied.
When substitute the defender scored a late winner for Barca, Flick joined the fans in joyous scenes and was shown a another caution for displaying an inappropriate signal.
"I dislike seeing myself in this state on television, and I don't want my descendants from observing their elder like that," Flick explained. "Therefore I likely have to adjust my behavior."
Flick Attributes Emotion to Love for the Club
Addressing media at a press briefing before the team face the Greek side in the Champions League, Flick attributed the gesture for which he was disciplined to the strong emotions he has for the team, which he has managed since May 2024.
He was head coach at the Bundesliga club when the team became the first to net eight times against Barcelona in more than 50 years in that year, and claims to have been reserved on the sideline as his team breezed into a European Cup last four.
"I recall when I was coach of Bayern, the video of the game against Barcelona showed that I had the same reaction to the initial, next and final goals," commented Flick. "Observers said I never smiled! Currently I'm expressing greater passion, it's accurate, because this club has transformed me."
"Perhaps I should restrain my emotions, but I love Barca, the city and its supporters, and that's why I consistently put in maximum effort."
Suspension for El Clasico
The manager's dismissal comes with a sideline suspension which will confine him to the stands of the stadium as his team play Real Madrid in the derby on Sunday – though the club are challenging against the ruling.
Barca leader the president claimed a "hidden influence" was behind referee Jesus Gil Manzano's officiating against the opponent – implying support for the Madrid club – though the coach himself refused to get drawn into allegations of officiating bias.
"I had no issue with the referee," he said. "I did not protest at him but he saw it that way and that's something I have to accept."
