Barcelona Set to Reunite with Former Midfielder as Hansi Flick Expands Coaching Team

Former La Masia academy product Thiago Alcántara might make his way back to his childhood club more than ten years following his exit, this time to become part of Hansi Flick's coaching team.

ESPN's Moisés Llorens disclosed that Barcelona are actively pursuing Thiago's return to the club as part of Flick's coaching setup in the upcoming weeks. Last summer, Thiago assisted Flick when he first arrived at the club during pre-season training, working alongside the German coach throughout the initial weeks of preparation.

The technically gifted former playmaker ended his playing career following the 2023–24 campaign. Physical setbacks troubled Thiago during his final playing years, managing only a single match for Liverpool in his last professional season before hanging up his boots at age 33.

Thiago was unable to join Flick's coaching team last season due to tax requirements that mandated his return to his residence in Merseyside for the rest of 2024. Initially, there were plans for Thiago to rejoin the club at the year's beginning, but Barcelona's challenging financial circumstances prevented them from providing him with a coaching contract.

Barcelona are optimistic about fulfilling all necessary financial criteria to register both players and coaching staff without complications in the forthcoming weeks. After meeting these requirements, Barça appear keen on providing Thiago with a full-time position as an assistant coach.

Thiago emerged from Barcelona's youth system and made his senior debut in 2009. With established midfielders like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fàbregas limiting his opportunities for regular playing time, he departed the club in 2013 to reunite with Pep Guardiola—the coach who launched his career—at Bayern Munich.

During his time in Germany, Thiago developed into one of the world's premier midfielders for nearly a decade. Thiago completed his final campaign with Bayern Munich under Flick's guidance, capturing the Champions League trophy in 2020.

The former midfield virtuoso is now eager to begin his path toward eventually becoming a head coach. Training under Flick could serve as an invaluable initial experience.

For Barcelona, bringing Thiago aboard could prove highly advantageous given his recognized contributions in developing young midfielders Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó.