Thiago Alcantara has temporarily joined up with Hansi Flick’s coaching staff at Barcelona after announcing his retirement from playing.
The former Liverpool midfielder hung up his boots last week after an injury-ravaged end to his career with Liverpool.
Thiago, 33, has now sealed a return to Catalonia after graduating from the club’s La Masia academy before making 100 appearances for the first team.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐚́𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚 to gain experience with the Barça coaching staff
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 17, 2024
A club statement said: “Thiago is set to spend the coming weeks as part of Hansi Flick’s staff in order to train as a coach.
“The former player is expected to remain with the men’s football first team squad for the entire summer, and therefore, will be on the U.S tour.”
The former Spain midfielder left Barca in 2013 for Bayern Munich, where he eventually won the Treble under Flick in 2020.
Thiago departed for Liverpool that summer, winning the FA Cup, reaching the Champions League final and finishing as a Premier League runner-up during his time at Anfield.
But injuries disrupted the playmaker’s time in England, having made just a single appearance for the Reds in 2023-24.
He is now set to cut his teeth in the world of coaching as he reunites with his former boss in familiar surroundings.
Flick 🤝 Thiago pic.twitter.com/rCf01tTyJs
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 17, 2024
Flick has also brought Marcus Sorg, Toni Tapalovic and Heiko Westermann with him as assistant coaches, while José Ramon De la Fuente stays on as goalkeeping coach.
The former Germany boss signed a two-year deal with the Blaugrana in May.
