Liverpool cult hero Thiago Alcantara has reportedly been forced to return to Merseyside for tax reasons after leaving his coaching role at Barcelona. The former midfielder hung up his boots in the summer following a four-year stint at Anfield.
Thiago made 98 appearances for the Reds but announced his retirement after his final campaign on Merseyside was scuppered by injury.
He went on to join Barcelona’s coaching team under Hansi Flick on a short-term basis during pre-season.
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According to Spanish publication Marca, Thiago has to return to live in England due to tax issues arising from his settlement with Liverpool. He will have to remain in the country until the end of the year and will then be able to decide where his future in the game lies.
Thiago’s final day at the Nou Camp came last Friday, with Arnau Blanco replacing him in Flick’s coaching set-up following a role as the club’s under-16s coach.
Thiago’s departure had been foreseen by the Catalan giants for several weeks, with the former midfielder only beginning his job in mid-July. And at no time had Barca considered the prospect of the former midfielder staying with the coaching staff permanently for the entire season due to his need to return to England to live.
After Thiago joined the Barcelona staff, the club released a statement that read: "Thiago Alcantara is set to spend the coming weeks as part of Hansi Flick's staff in order to train as a coach.
"The former player is expected to remain with the men's football first-team squad for the entire summer."
The club also said that Thiago and Flick had "formed a close relationship" during the campaign the German had managed the Spain international during their one season together at Bayern Munich.
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Thiago helped Liverpool win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at Anfield. And after deicing to call time on his playing career, he wrote on Instagram: "Thank you, football. And to everyone who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way. See you soon."
He also took to X to pen a farewell message as he explained: "I will always be willing to give back what I have been given and I am grateful for the time I have enjoyed it."
Liverpool began a new era without Thiago at the weekend as they played their first competitive match under new boss Arne Slot when they travelled to Ipswich for their Premier League opener. And the Reds secured a 2-0 victory at Portman Road.
