Thiago has been mooted as a potential former player who could join Andoni Iraola‘s coaching staff at Liverpool, but the Spaniard has explained why that’s not possible.
Liverpool journalist David Lynch explained earlier this summer that the club are expected to add a former player to Iraola’s backroom staff.
Thiago, James Milner, Steven Gerrard and Adam Lallana have all been speculated as possible options, with the former No. 6 later claimed to be “keen” on a job at Liverpool.
But he would not be able to assume a role as one of Iraola’s assistants, as he explained on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
“When the Liverpool job came up, were you interested or not?” Ferdinand asked.
Thiago replied: “No man, I don’t have the badges. I don’t have enough to be a coach.”
While Ferdinand’s question may have pertained to the top job itself, a lack of a UEFA Pro License or UEFA A License means Thiago cannot currently assume any permanent senior backroom role in the UK.
This is due to standardised professional requirements and why work permits have been denied in the past, notably when Arne Slot‘s assistant Etienne Reijnen was denied a move in 2024.
During his recent spell at Barcelona working under Hansi Flick, Thiago was also unable to sit on the bench in a competitive setting due to his lack of badges, which he is working towards.
Instead, he took on a training ground mentorship position with the Catalan side, which Liverpool could seek to do themselves if UK work permit rules allow.
Why Thiago wants to go into coaching
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 6, 2022: Liverpool's Thiago Alcântara during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group A matchday 1 game between SSC Napoli and Liverpool FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There are few who have a comparable list of managerial references than Thiago, having worked under Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique, and Hansi Flick as a player.
Asked if this was why he wanted to become a coach, Thiago replied: “I think it’s something born inside of me in terms of being a coach.
“In my last year at Liverpool, just because I wasn’t able to play, so I was trying to help even more.
“Not being selfish in any kind of situation, just helping, being in the back of others, how I can make them grow.”