Hansi Flick has responded after Thiago Alcantara left his role as Barcelona’s backroom staff. The recently retired midfielder will be replaced by Arnau Blanco, who has been working with the club’s under-16A team, Barca have announced.
Thiago, who last played for Liverpool, retired from professional football at the end of the 2023-24 season and joined Flick’s backroom staff, only to leave before the start of the season.
The German manager addressed Thiago’s departure, saying (via Barca Universal on X):
“Thiago Alcantara and I have an excellent relationship. When he decided to retire, I told him I saw him coaching in the future. That I could help him if he needed anything. Now we weill have Arnau, from La Masia. I don’t know if Thiago will return.”During his playing career, Thiago Alcantara represented clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool. He made 100 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 11 goals and providing 20 assists. He played 26 games under Flick at Bayern, scoring thrice.
The midfielder, known as a technical mastermind, suffered several injury issues during the later stages of his Liverpool career. The 33-year-old decided to hang up the boots and has now parted ways with Flick’s coaching crew at Barca.
On the other hand, his replacement Blanco is well acquainted with the Barca DNA. He has worked with the youth sides for the past 11 years.
Barcelona confident of re-signing Joao Cancelo: Reports
As per SPORT, Barcelona are confident that they’d be able to re-sign Joao Cancelo on a loan deal for 2024-25. The Portuguese full-back spent the 2023-24 season at the club on loan from Manchester City.
Cancelo became a key player for the team last season, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. While Barca are keen to sign him, their financial situation has made a permanent deal impossible.
As a result, La Blaugrana are looking to conclude another loan deal. Cancelo is not on Pep Guardiola’s plans for Manchester City. He has been linked with returns to former clubs Inter Milan and Juventus.
City want to sell the player for a fee above €25 million. Barcelona, though, could only make a loan signing with a non-binding option to buy at the end of the season for €20 million.
The aforementioned deal option has been proposed to City by super agent Jorge Mendes. The Catalan club are reportedly looking to free up space in their wage bill to register Cancelo before the end of the transfer market.