Thiago joins Barcelona coaching staff after Liverpool retirement

By SABC Sport
17th July 2024

Having recently called time on his playing career at the age of 33, Thiago Alcantara is set to spend the coming weeks as part of Hansi Flick's Barcelona 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 US tour.

The midfielder came through Barca's famed La Masia academy and he and the new Blaugrana coach formed a close relationship during the single season that both were at Bayern Munich, when they won the treble.

Thiago began learning his craft at La Masia, Barcelona's renowned youth academy, where he made 101 appearances for the first team. In 2013, he transferred to Bayern Munich, where he reunited with coach Hansi Flick and played a crucial role in their 2020 treble-winning season before joining Liverpool.

Unfortunately, his time at Liverpool was marred by injuries, limiting him to just one appearance last season and a total of 98 over four full campaigns.

Following the expiration of his contract on June 30, Thiago announced his retirement from professional football.

In May, Barcelona announced Hansi Flick as their new head coach on a two-year deal, following the dismissal of Xavi HernÃƒ¡ndez after a trophy-less season.