Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said coach Hansi Flick is the club's 'Gladiator' because of his similarity to the actor Russel Crowe.

Flick, 60, replaced Xavi Hernández as Barça boss last year and led the Blaugrana to three trophies in his first season in charge, LaLiga , the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa.

Laporta is thrilled with how the German has brought success back to the Catalan club, comparing him to Crowe, the Australian who played the title role in the 2000 Oscar-winning movie Gladiator.

"Flick is Gladiator, he looks just like Russell Crowe," Laporta told 3Cat. "He's been a great find for us and he is an absolutely top coach. He's really easy to get along with; he's sensitive with everyone.

"But he is also very demanding. You can't make him change his plan

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