10 hours ago
2
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara looks set to return to Barcelona, with reports suggesting he will join Hansi Flick’s coaching staff once again.
The 34-year-old brought his playing career to an end after leaving Anfield last year, having made 98 appearances for the Reds in a four-year spell that was disrupted by injuries. Thiago made just one appearance in his final year at Liverpool before choosing to retire.
Since then, he has turned his hand toward coaching, and spent a short time as an assistant to Flick upon the German’s arrival at Barcelona last year, although he would leave after just a month in the role.
Thiago has been out of a job since then, although he has been regularly linked with returning to the Camp Nou in recent months, and it seems as though he is now on his way back to his former club.
Que T’hi Jugues reports that Thiago will soon rejoin Flick’s staff and will be part of the technical team this season.
Fabrizio Romano has since backed up those claims and suggested that an agreement is “100 percent done”, with the former midfielder potentially returning to Barca as early as next week.
Before working under Flick as a coach, Thiago was part of the Bayern Munich side that won the 2020 Champions League under him, and the pair are said to have forged a strong relationship during their time in Germany.
Flick is also said to highly value Thiago’s contribution during his short spell coaching last year, and is counting on him again this season as Barca look to defend their La Liga title, and improve on their semi-final exit from the Champions League last season.
Reflecting on his retirement last year, Thiago told Liverpool’s website: "I miss being around the team and the locker room.
"I miss the competitive part of the game. The decision [to retire] was forced by physical issues. But I’m just keeping fit and trying to play as much as I can with my friends, and trying to be alive in the game."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Opening up on his time coaching back at the Camp Nou, he added: "At the end I had the chance to get into football again, helping the coaching staff of Barcelona.
"I decided for the practical part, not for the theory — just because of the experience I had doing all these years in football and the kind of role I had in the team.
"I just want to pass it through to other players. I love to help new players as well, young players to develop under the coach. It was pretty good spirits."
English (US) ·