Thiago Alcántara returns to Barcelona for his first managerial role since leaving Liverpool and retiring
Thiago Alcántara has joined Barcelona's coaching staff this summer to gain experience in his first role since leaving Liverpool.
The former Spanish international will also be with Barça coach Hansi Flick and the rest of the squad on the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
Thiago was a free agent after his contract at Anfield expired at the end of the season and ended his playing career earlier this month.
The midfielder was unable to truly demonstrate his undoubted quality in the Premier League due to a series of injury problems throughout his four-year spell. Liverpool career.
The La Liga giants were reported to be looking for someone who could speak Spanish and German to help new boss Flick adjust to life at the Nou Camp when begins to work as Xavi's successor.
Thiago, 33, is the perfect candidate, having worked with Flick during his time at Bayern Munich and having had spells at Barcelona as a youngster.
It is claimed he would act as a “direct link” between the manager and the players to help smooth the transition period between the two coaches, as well as working as a translator.
It was a role Jose Mourinho He served under Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon before becoming the great English manager's assistant at Porto and then Barcelona before moving up to full-time coaching.
Barca sporting director Deco was said to be looking for a player in the twilight of his career to fill the role, with two other veteran stars in contention.
Marc Bartra and Javi Martínez are the other names on the list, with the aim of “making them fundamental in the coexistence in the dressing room.”
3
3
Bartra, 33, is also a former Barcelona player and knows German after his time at Borussia Dortmund.
He is currently in a second spell with Real Betis, where he returned in 2023 after a season with Turkish club Trabzonspor, but a long-standing hamstring problem has restricted him to just four appearances since returning to the Spanish side.
Unlike Thiago and Bartra, Martinez has not played for Barca in his career, but he did spend nine years at Bayern Munich, where he was coached by Flick.
Martinez currently plays in the Middle East with Qatar SC, where he moved in 2021, but at 35 years old he is closer to retirement than the other two.
Thiago joined Barça at the age of 14 and made his first-team debut in 2009. He went on to make 100 appearances for them, scoring 11 goals and providing 22 assists.
