Thiago Alcantara or Marcus Sorg – Who will replace Hansi Flick on the touchline in El Clasico?

As per a fresh report from Mundo Deportivo , Barcelona are preparing for the possibility that assistant coach Marcus Sorg will lead the team from the sidelines if Hansi Flick’s suspension is confirmed ahead of the El Clasico.

Despite rumours suggesting Thiago Alcantara could step in, the club plans for Sorg to take charge should the head coach be forced to watch from the stands.

Flick’s dismissal during the game against Girona led the RFEF to impose a one-match suspension, effectively ruling him out of Sunday’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona have filed an appeal , hoping the Appeals Committee will lift the ban, but optimism remains low.

The Blaugrana have reportedly struggled to provide video proof showing that Flick’s applause was not an act of dissent but rather a gesture towards one of his players.

Without that crucial evidence, the disciplinary ruling is unlikely to be overturned.

Marcus Sorg will replace Hansi Flick. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Should the appeal fail, the German manager will be confined to one of the Bernabeu boxes, communicating indirectly with his staff as Sorg takes on full matchday responsibilities.

The aforementioned outlet makes it clear that even though Thiago Alcantara holds a valid coaching licence, he will not assume control of the team, nor will any of Flick’s other assistants.

If this scenario unfolds, it won’t be unfamiliar territory for Marcus Sorg. The assistant previously stepped up at the end of 2024 when Flick served a two-game ban following his sending-off against Real Betis.

During that period, Sorg managed the matches against Leganes and Atlético Madrid, guiding the team through key moments in the campaign.

Should Flick’s punishment stand, all eyes will be on Sorg to steer the Blaugrana from the touchline in one of football’s most intense rivalries.