Thiago Alcantara has been part of Hansi Flick’s coaching staff at Barcelona since early July having left Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
During his stint at Liverpool, Thiago made 98 appearances, contributing three goals and six assists.
He joined the Reds in 2020 for a fee of £27 million after a successful seven-year period with Bayern Munich.
His arrival was met with great enthusiasm from Liverpool supporters, who were eager to see the technically proficient midfielder bring a different style to the squad, contrasting with the high-energy, physical approach previously favored by Jurgen Klopp.
However, the 32-year-old’s time at Anfield was marred by injuries, leading to a feeling that his potential impact was unrealized during his four-year stay.
In his final season at the club, the Spaniard had a minimal role due to injury.
He featured just once in the 2023/24 campaign, a brief five-minute appearance against Arsenal in February.
Despite his clear talent and skill, his time in England was consistently disrupted by injuries, leaving many Liverpool fans with a feeling of ‘what if’.
After he announced his retirement, Hansi Flick offered Thiago a role at the Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick was Thiago’s coach in Bavaria, and the Spaniard was a key member of the Bayern squad that won the 2020 Sextuple.
The Spanish speaker was selected as a desired asset that will ease Flick’s transition period because of his fluency in both German and Spanish.
As someone who came up through the La Masia system and was a player for Barcelona in the past, he also has a deep understanding of the club.
In the weeks and months since, Thiago was seen accompanying the Barca squad in their pre-season tour in the USA.
But it seems his time with the Blaugrana is coming to an end soon.
When will Thiago depart Barcelona?
His appointment under Hansi Flick was always going to be a temporary one, as Thiago himself is still exploring his options after retirement.
According to Spanish outlet Diario Sport, Thiago has been working hands on with the squad but has stayed out of staff photos and has not ‘expressed himself through social networks’.
His ‘mission’ was to help Hansi Flick settle at the Spanish giants, and has a result he will be leaving the fold soon.
Sport report that he will leave the club at the end of August, and in September he will ‘consider his professional future’ once more.
They finish off saying that his love of football and his habit of visiting the dressing rooms of the top European teams have the potential to help him obtain a coaching license, but for the time being, all signs point to him taking some time to think and spend time with his family.
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