The 2024-25 La Liga campaign has officially concluded, with Barcelona on top of the pecking order for the second time in the last three years. The Blaugrana were undoubtedly the best team in the Spanish top-flight this term, though they wouldn’t have achieved it if it weren’t for their manager, Hansi Flick.
Besides winning the La Liga, Barcelona also won the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, making it a treble for Flick in his first full season in charge. The German manager believes they’re only getting started, which is a scary prospect for the rest of the chasing pack.
Outgoing manager Carlo Ancelotti also deserves plaudits for guiding Real Madrid to a runner-up finish, even if the club’s fans might not be content with it. Claudio Giraldez also deserves a huge shout-out for bringing back European football to Celta Vigo.
Let’s pay tribute to the men behind the scenes in today’s SBOTOP La Liga feature.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona
When Hansi Flick arrived in Barcelona last year to replace Xavi, the German head coach faced the daunting task of turning the team into legitimate contenders, and he did that and more. Flick not only won the La Liga in his first full season, but he also completed a domestic treble. At one point, an outrageous quadruple was on the cards given how well they played.
Besides winning trophies, Flick has also given a new meaning to the power of La Masia, the team’s famous youth academy. Several La Masia graduates have improved under Flick’s tutelage, such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, Hector Fort, Marc Casado, and Marc Bernal. Among them, Yamal has been the biggest beneficiary of Flick’s tactics. The 17-year-old became one of the world’s best players, so much so that he was on the shortlist in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Add them to the team’s current crop of stars, and the Blaugrana are set to compete for trophies in the present and the future.
Flick’s original contract was two years, but the front office added another year to his current deal. Many believe he deserves more, especially since the La Liga 2025 odds expect the Blaugrana to make another run for the championship next season.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will take his act to the Brazilian national team after a “failed” 2024-25 campaign with Real Madrid. Injuries have blighted Real Madrid’s 2024-25 campaign, so it’s not all Ancelotti’s fault. Despite this, he will be remembered fondly by the fans at the Bernabeu for what he has achieved with the club in the past few years.
Under his guidance, Los Blancos enjoyed one of their brightest eras. Ancelotti guided Real Madrid to three Champions League titles, two La Ligas, one Copa del Rey, three UEFA Super Cups, two Spanish Super Cups, and three FIFA Club World Cups. Ancelotti has 162 La Liga wins (in 228 matches) as Real Madrid manager, with the latest being a 2-0 home victory over Real Sociedad in the final matchday of the 2024-25 campaign.
Ancelotti left the Bernabeu in tears as he said goodbye to his fans. The Italian international is not the only one to leave the Madridistas, as Luka Modric will be a free agent after his current contract expires this offseason.
Now, it’s Xabi Alonso’s turn to take the reins of Los Blancos, and the former Bayer Leverkusen manager faces the daunting task of filling Ancelotti’s shoes. Alonso knows the size of the task, so he’s doing the smart thing of recruiting reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window. So far, they’re off to a positive start, with Trent Alexander-Arnold waiting to be officially registered.
Claudio Giraldez, Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo clinched their spot in European football following a 2-1 win in the final matchday against 10-man Getafe last Sunday. It was the perfect way to end their 2024-25 campaign, where they finished seventh in the standings, a six-place improvement from last year.
Manager Claudio Giraldez is the mastermind behind Os Celestes’ remarkable improvement. The 37-year-old rose through the team’s ranks, and when he got his first big break last year to replace Rafa Benitez, he made the most of his opportunity.
Under Giraldez, Celta Vigo generated many La Liga 2025 highlights. They boasted the league’s fifth-best attack with 59 goals, with Borja Iglesias and Iago Aspas leading the way with 11 and 10 league goals.
Because they’ll play in Europe next season, Giraldez faces the tough juggling act of playing at least twice a week. Celta Vigo’s front office must back their manager by giving him reinforcements in the summer transfer window.
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