Thiago Alcantara had barely announced his retirement from playing before links were being made to connect him to Barca, a club he’d left back in 2013 to join Bayern Munich.
Though the majority of his time there was spent under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, he did cross paths towards the end of his spell at the Allianz Arena with Hansi Flick.
As luck/fate would have it, Flick now happens to be Barcelona’s new first-team coach, Thiago having left his playing days behind him but still believed to want to keep his hand in the game somehow.
Therefore, links with the Blaugranes and a potential coaching position under Flick are not without foundation.
Despite the injury concerns that wrecked much of his playing career, Thiago was effortless in everything that he did.
Sometimes the stars align in such a way that it’s almost impossible to ignore. As if fate has intervened, whether or not one believes in such coincidental happenings.
Thiago Alcantara had barely announced his retirement from playing before links were being made to connect him to Barca, a club he’d left back in 2013 to join Bayern Munich.
Though the majority of his time there was spent under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, he did cross paths towards the end of his spell at the Allianz Arena with Hansi Flick.
As luck/fate would have it, Flick now happens to be Barcelona’s new first-team coach, Thiago having left his playing days behind him but still believed to want to keep his hand in the game somehow.
Therefore, links with the Blaugranes and a potential coaching position under Flick are not without foundation. Nor are they pie in the sky either.
Such an association would make absolute and perfect sense.
Despite the injury concerns that wrecked much of his playing career, Thiago was effortless in everything that he did.
A real student of the game with the vision and passing range to elevate him above mere footballing mortals, virtual footballing perfection was made manifest when the midfielder was in possession of a ball.
His was a pure way of playing and if he is as adept at getting his ideas across to the current Barca crop as he was at when pulling on the shirt himself, Flick’s supposed idea of having him as a coach/conduit between squad and manager is not only sensible but a masterstroke.
There will surely be those culers who will bristle at the idea that Joan Laporta is potentially allowing another old boy to return, because the glory days of 2008-2012 are never going to be recaptured no matter who is involved with the first team, however, having people that know the club and all its behind-the-scenes machinations, is clearly of benefit.
Thiago can be a confidante to the players as well as assistant to Flick, and as someone who has walked in their shoes, can command the respect that representing such a storied organisation deserves.
Any deal is a long way from being sealed at this moment, and there is a chance it doesn’t happen, but can you think of anyone better suited to such a role at this point in time?
