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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Thiago played for club 2009-13</li><li>Temporarily joined Barca staff post-retirement</li><li>Set to return in January</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Thiago Alcantara set to return to Barcelona again as Hansi Flick lines up permanent coaching role for silky ex-Liverpool & Bayern Munich midfielder

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<p>According to <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2024/12/18/barca-thiago-proximo-reencuentro.html" target="_blank"><em>Marca</em></a>, the 33-year-old could become part of Flick's backroom team as soon as January after spending <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/thiago-alcantara-walks-out-barcelona-one-month-coaching-role-blaugrana-reveal-ex-liverpool-star-replacement/bltcef60615cfd618ad" target="_blank">a short amount of time in a similar role over the summer</a> following his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/thiago-alcantara-hangs-up-his-boots-former-barcelona-and-bayern-star-to-retire-from-football-after-liverpool-exit/bltcca88865f731d08e" target="_blank">retirement from playing</a>. Thiago was reportedly hired initially to help Flick achieve a smooth transition (due to his command of German and English) — evidently, he impressed the 59-year-old German coach enough to be brought back into the fold.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The coaching duo previously worked together at Bayern Munich, where Thiago spent a large part of his career (2013-20) pulling the strings from central midfield. The Spaniard won a staggering seven consecutive Bundesliga titles during this period, and Flick was in charge for the final trophy-winning campaign before Thiago departed for Liverpool.</p><p></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Thiago severed his ties with Barca in August after only a month in his new coaching role, reportedly desperate for a fresh challenge after hanging up his boots. However, he looks set to be back on the scene just months later. The final four years of the La Masia academy product's playing career at Liverpool were hampered by injury, and it appears the experienced international midfielder believes he still has something to offer the game.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/hansi-flick-gives-broken-barcelona-players-two-days-off-shock-la-liga-loss-to-leganes/blt9ae587d6e4b54b73" target="_blank">Flick's team</a> of assistant coaches at Barca currently consists of Marcus Sorg, Toni Tapalovic, and Heiko Westermann. It's unclear exactly where Thiago would slot in here; when he departed the club in the summer he was replaced by experienced youth coach Arnau Blanco and reports suggest Barcelona are happy with the work his replacement has been responsible for, so it doesn't look like Thiago's return would threaten his position.</p><br><br>

WHAT NEXT FOR THIAGO?

Thiago Alcantara set to return to Barcelona again as Hansi Flick lines up permanent coaching role for silky ex-Liverpool & Bayern Munich midfielder | Goal.com

Former Barcelona midfielder Thiago looks set to rejoin the club in January as part of Hansi Flick&apos;s coaching set-up.

Thiago Alcantara set to return to Barcelona again as Hansi Flick lines up permanent coaching role for silky ex-Liverpool &amp; Bayern Munich midfielder