Thiago Alcantara will leave his role as a member of Barcelona’s coaching staff this summer, confirmed manager Hansi Flick on Friday. The 35-year-old initially joined Flick’s backroom team at the start of the season, assisting with the transition to the new manager and acting as a translator. However, he briefly returned to England last summer due to tax obligations before rejoining the staff in an official capacity, where he focused on player mentoring and implementing Flick’s tactical principles.
Alcantara’s departure was marked by a farewell from the Barcelona squad during their final training session of the season, with players giving him ‘the bumps’. Flick spoke highly of Alcantara during a press conference, referencing their prior relationship at Bayern Munich. He explained the difficulty of having previously benched Alcantara as a player, praising his exceptional attitude and mentality despite the situation.
“He’s helped me a lot here at Barca, and in the last two years, he’s been incredible,” Flick stated. “We’ll miss him, but I understand he has his own plans, and that’s good. I hope he can come back someday because we need men like him in this business.” The German manager emphasized Alcantara’s positive influence and top-level attitude.
This potential exit is not isolated, with reports suggesting that match analyst Dr. Stephan Nopp may also leave the club this summer. Flick is also reportedly considering adding another fitness coach to the staff in an attempt to address the club’s ongoing issues with player injuries. Barcelona recently concluded their season, and these staffing changes represent a period of adjustment as Flick looks to reshape his team for future campaigns.
Alcantara’s career as a player saw him excel at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool, becoming known for his exceptional passing range and technical ability. His transition into coaching has been viewed positively, and his departure will likely be felt within the Barcelona setup.
