Thiago Alcântara, the former Spanish international, has transitioned from player to coach as he joins Hansi Flick's coaching staff at Barcelona. The 33-year-old will play a crucial role in assisting Flick in familiarizing himself with the intricacies of the club. Having spent his formative years at La Masia, Barcelona's renowned youth academy, Thiago went on to make 101 appearances for the first team before moving to Bayern Munich in 2013.
Thiago's reunion with Flick comes after their successful stint together at Bayern Munich, where they achieved a treble in 2020. Despite facing injury setbacks during his time at Liverpool, Thiago's wealth of experience and knowledge of both the club and Flick make him a valuable addition to the coaching staff.
As part of Flick's coaching team, Thiago will be joined by assistant coaches Marcus Sorg, Toni Tapalovic, and Heiko Westermann, along with goalkeeping coach José Ramon De la Fuente. The club has also revamped its fitness department, bringing in Julio Tous, Pepe Conde, Rafa Maldonado, and Germán Fernández to work alongside Flick.
Julio Tous, known for his work with top clubs like Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter, will provide expertise in strength and conditioning. Pepe Conde and Rafa Maldonado, hailing from Sevilla and Real Sociedad respectively, will also contribute to the team's fitness regime.
Barcelona's decision to appoint Flick on a two-year deal in May marked the end of Xavi Hernández's tenure as head coach after a season without silverware. With Thiago's guidance and the collective expertise of the coaching staff, Barcelona aims to usher in a new era of success under Flick's leadership.
