Thiago Alcantara is expected to resume his coaching role with Barcelona in January, a report has claimed.

After announcing his shock retirement this summer, Thiago linked up with his former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick, who was keen to find somebody to help him adjust to life in Catalonia.

Thiago, a graduate of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, spent a handful of weeks alongside Flick this summer in a short-term role which Mundo Deportivo state ended as Thiago needed to return to the United Kingdom for tax purposes.

When the new calendar year arrives, Thiago’s commitments in England will be over and he will be able to return to Barcelona and resume his coaching role.

Indeed, it is claimed that Barcelona’s plan for Thiago was always to bring the former midfielder in in January, but he has been working alongside the club in an unofficial role behind the scenes until his position can be made official.

Thiago is a regular feature in video conferences between Flick’s backroom staff and has even been involved in a handful of decisions behind the scenes since his formal departure from the club, including the push to try sign Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic before his loan switch to Red Bull Salzburg.

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