Thiago Alcântara has temporarily joined Hansi Flick's coaching staff at Barcelona after confirming his retirement from the game last week, the Catalan club confirmed on Wednesday.
Thiago, 33, will play a key role in helping Flick adapt to Barca's idiosyncrasies, and the former Spain international knows both the club and the German manager well from his playing career.
“Thiago will spend the next few weeks with Hansi Flick's technical team to train as a coach. The former player is expected to remain with the men's first team throughout the summer and will therefore be on tour in the United States,” Barça said in a statement.
After coming through the ranks of La Masia, Barça's youth academy, he played 101 games for the first team before signing for Bayern Munich in 2013.
Thiago then played under Flick at Bayern and was an important figure as the German club won the treble in 2020.
Injuries disrupted his time at Anfield and after making just one appearance last season (and 98 in four full campaigns), he announced his retirement after his contract expired on 30 June.
However, he has quickly become involved in football again and will help Flick while the German coach learns Spanish and adapts to his new surroundings.
Flick has also brought with him Marcus Sorg, Toni Tapalovic and Heiko Westermann as assistant coaches, while José Ramón De la Fuente remains as goalkeeping coach.
Furthermore, as part of a restructuring of the club's fitness department, Julio Tous, Pepe Conde, Rafa Maldonado and Germán Fernández will also form part of Flick's coaching staff.
Tous has extensive experience in the field of strength and conditioning having worked alongside Antonio Conte during his time as manager of Juventus, Italy, Chelsea, Inter and Tottenham. Conde joined from Sevilla and Maldonado from Real Sociedad.
Barca confirmed Flick's appointment on a two-year contract in May after sacking previous manager Xavi Hernandez following a trophyless season.
