Thiago has left his role as Barcelona assistant manager ahead a new challenge, with Hansi Flick revealing the former Liverpool midfielder “has his own plans.”
After a brief stint on Flick’s coaching staff in 2024, Thiago was officially appointed as assistant manager at Barcelona last summer.
But the 35-year-old’s spell on the staff has only lasted one season, with Flick explaining Thiago’s decision to depart in his press conference on Friday.
“His attitude, his mentality, and the way he performed were incredible,” the Barcelona manager told reporters, with Thiago said to be leaving for personal reasons.
“And that’s what I appreciate about working with him. He has a top-level attitude and is incredible.
“He’s helped me a lot here at Barca, and in the last two years, he’s been amazing. 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.”
Thiago’s next role is unclear at this stage, though he has already been announced as part of FOX Sports’ panel of pundits for the 2026 World Cup.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 28, 2026: Liverpool's Thiago Alcântara on the pitch before the LFC Foundation match between Liverpool FC Legends and Borussia Dortmund Legends at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The retired midfielder recently returned to Liverpool for the Legends charity match against Dortmund at Anfield, scoring the opening goal in a 2-2 friendly draw.
Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast during his time back on Merseyside, Thiago revealed why Liverpool was the perfect fit for him in terms of the football and their culture.
“You know that my roots are Brazilian, so a while ago I came to Europe and played for Barcelona, Bayern; Spain, Germany,” he said.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 14, 2022: Liverpool's Thiago Alcântara celebrates after the FA Cup Final between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. The game ended in a goal-less draw, Liverpool won 6-5 on penalties. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“You have this kind of European culture about Spain with tactics and the transition, and suddenly here, not in England but in Liverpool, you have this mix between the style of England that is challenges, there is a rhythm, there are duels, all these kind of things.
“But also the South American behaviour of football, it’s pretty like a religion here in Liverpool.
“So I’ve got that mix here and that’s why it I felt it was the right place for me.”