Fakayejo Paul
BARCELONA, Spain – FC Barcelona has officially confirmed the return of club legend Thiago Alcântara, who will join Hansi Flick’s coaching staff as an assistant.
The announcement marks the start of a new chapter for the former midfielder at the club where he began his illustrious career.
Thiago, who retired from professional football earlier this year, had already been working with the team for a short period during Flick’s initial weeks at the club last summer.
He has now been officially and permanently integrated into the coaching setup, with his first official day on the job taking place this Thursday.
According to a club statement, Thiago’s role will involve “contributing to tactical aspects and the preparation of training sessions, among other tasks, bringing his experience and vision of the game to enrich the team’s daily work.”
His return is seen as a major boost for the squad, especially for the younger players who can benefit from his deep understanding of Barcelona’s philosophy and his experience playing at the highest level.
Thiago’s appointment also comes at a time when Flick is looking to strengthen the team’s cohesion and identity, having reportedly met with his staff to address the team’s inconsistent start to the season.
The move reunites Thiago with his former coach from his time at Bayern Munich, where the pair achieved a historic treble.