Toni Kroos may be retired, but he’s far from silent. In the latest episode of his podcast Einfach mal Luppen, which he co-hosts with his brother Felix, the former Real Madrid midfielder poked fun at Hansi Flick’s strict discipline at FC Barcelona, drawing comparisons with the more relaxed atmosphere he experienced at Real Madrid.

“Three Minutes Late? At Madrid, That’s a Joke”

The discussion centered around recent decisions by Hansi Flick, who has reportedly punished players like Jules Koundé and Iñaki Peña for being just a few minutes late to team meetings.

“With Hansi, some players have been sidelined for arriving three minutes late,” said Kroos, laughing. “At Real Madrid, they would have laughed.”

The comment, though lighthearted, underscores the cultural differences between German discipline and the more lenient approach often seen in Spanish football.

Not Wrong—Just Very German

Kroos clarified that Flick’s methods aren’t necessarily incorrect, just culturally specific. “It’s just a different mentality,” he explained. “Not letting someone play because they’re five minutes late… in Madrid, sometimes you didn’t even know if it was the player or the coach who was late.”

Felix Kroos agreed, suggesting that very few coaches outside of Germany would enforce such rigid punishments over minor tardiness.

Will Flick's Style Work at Barcelona?

Flick is known for his meticulous structure and discipline, traits that served him well at Bayern Munich and with the German national team—at least initially. But his methods may face resistance in a Barcelona locker room historically driven by star power and creative freedom.

Kroos’ remarks offer a subtle yet pointed critique: at a club like Real Madrid, where individual quality often trumps strict scheduling, Flick’s style might not survive.

As the 2025/26 season approaches, it remains to be seen whether Hansi Flick’s no-nonsense approach will bring results—or backlash—from Barcelona’s high-profile dressing room.