Thiago Alcántara will gain coaching experience with Flick's Barcelona

The Spaniard struggled with injuries for a long time, which led him to decide to hang up his boots. He played a total of 487 matches in professional football, including one hundred for Barcelona's first team. The 33-year-old Thiago came through the ranks at La Masia and later played for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool.

Thiago will gain experience with the staff of new head coach Hansi Flick in the coming weeks. He will participate in the entire pre-season preparation and will also join the team on their tour in the United States. This move marks an important transition in Thiago's career from player to coach, reflecting his desire to stay involved in football and contribute his extensive knowledge and experience.

Flick and Thiago know each other from the season they won the treble with Bayern Munich in 2019/20. During that season, they faced Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals, a match that ended 8-2 in favor of Der Rekordmeister. This prior successful collaboration between Flick and Thiago is expected to benefit Barcelona as they look to rebuild and strengthen their squad under new leadership.

Thiago's return to Barcelona, albeit in a different role, is seen as a homecoming for the La Masia graduate. Fans and former teammates are excited about his involvement with the club's coaching staff, hoping that his experience and understanding of the club's philosophy will help guide and inspire the current squad.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Thiago will have the opportunity to learn from Flick, a highly respected coach with a proven track record. This mentorship will be invaluable for Thiago as he embarks on his coaching career. The pre-season, including the tour in the United States, will provide a diverse range of challenges and experiences, helping Thiago to develop his coaching style and approach.

Overall, this new chapter in Thiago's career is being met with optimism and anticipation. His blend of high-level playing experience and his fresh perspective on coaching is expected to bring a unique dynamic to Barcelona's coaching team as they prepare for the upcoming season.