![\"Thiago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_GettyImages-1546156335.jpg\")
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara(Image: Andrew Powell\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\nThiago Alcantara retired from football after leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023\/24 campaignFormer Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara(Image: Andrew Powell\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is set to rejoin Barcelona as an assistant coach to Hansi Flick. The 34-year-old retired from football after departing Anfield in 2024 and spent a single month on the German’s staff before leaving.<\/p>\n
Now, Fabrizio Romano<\/a> reports that Thiago<\/a> has agreed to become a coach at Barca one year on from his rapid departure. He will start with ‘immediate effect’, linking up with La Liga’s reigning champions as they prepare for their first fixture after the September international break against Valencia.<\/p>\n The Spaniard’s illustrious playing career saw him win trophies with Barca, Bayern Munich, Liverpool<\/a>, and the Spanish national team over 16 years.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Managing Liverpool – Alexander Isak integration plan as Dominik Szoboszlai decision made<\/a>READ MORE: Florian Nagelsmann makes Florian Wirtz admission Liverpool will be wary of – ‘Should be smarter’<\/a><\/p>\n Graduating from the famous La Masia academy of Barca, Thiago won four Spanish league titles and one Champions League<\/a> before moving to Bayern.<\/p>\n His time in Germany was his most successful, winning a further seven domestic titles and another Champions League across seven years.<\/p>\n This meant there was great excitement when he signed for Jurgen Klopp<\/a>‘s Liverpool in the months that followed the club’s Premier League<\/a> title success in 2020.<\/p>\n Following his \u00a325m transfer<\/a>, Thiago went on to make 98 appearances in English football. He recorded three goals and six assists, adding FA Cup<\/a> and Carabao Cup winners’ medals to his collection.<\/p>\n But Reds fans were left wanting more from Thiago by the time it came for his contract to end, as he barely kicked a ball during his final season at Liverpool due to troublesome injuries that eventually forced his decision to retire last year.<\/p>\n He was not ready to give up entirely, however, and rejoined Barca as a coach under their new manager Flick<\/a> last August. Thiago explained<\/a>: “I had the chance to get into football again, helping the coaching staff of Barcelona.<\/p>\n “I decided for the practical part, not for the theory \u2013 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.”<\/p>\n Thiago was in attendance as a spectator of Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield<\/a> this time last year, saying: “It\u2019s always been a goal to be at this stadium not just as a player but also as a fan. I had the fortune \u2013 life gave me the chance \u2013 to be here for four years as a football player.<\/p>\n “I believe it was one of the best times of my life as well. Now I have the chance any time, being such a warm welcome from the fans, and the players as well. It\u2019s a pretty good time to be here.”<\/p>\n Now Thiago may have the opportunity to visit his former club as an opposition coach. Should Liverpool and Barcelona advance to this season’s Champions League knock-out stages, there is the possibility of the clubs being drawn against one another next spring.<\/p>\n For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc<\/a>. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.<\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter<\/a> @\u200cLivEchoLFC<\/strong> – the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account – for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.<\/p>\n We’re also on Facebook<\/a>\/LiverpoolEchoLFC – your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.<\/p>\n Listen to our podcasts by searching for ‘Blood Red’ wherever you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo’s free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC<\/a> by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n