Thiago Alcântara leaves Hansi Flick's Barcelona coaching staff

Hansi Flick said on May 22 that Thiago Alcântara had left Barcelona’s coaching staff after the former midfielder said goodbye to the team and staff at the club’s final training session of the season. Mundo Deportivo reported that Flick addressed Thiago’s departure in his pre-match press conference before Barcelona’s final Liga game at Valencia. Flick thanked Thiago for helping him settle at the club, according to the report. Mundo Deportivo said Thiago is expected to devote more time to his family and to L’Hospitalet, the club he co-owns with Jordi Alba. The report said Thiago had been working with Flick’s staff this season and that his exit had been under discussion in recent days as Flick reshaped his backroom team after signing a new contract. (mundodeportivo.com) ### What exactly did Flick say about Thiago’s exit? Hansi Flick said Thiago had been important in his adaptation to Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo’s account of the May 22 press conference. The outlet described Thiago’s contribution as “inestimable” help for the German coach as he settled into the job. (mundodeportivo.com) On May 22, Thiago said farewell during the last training session of the season, Mundo Deportivo reported. The same report said the departure was presented as a staff change rather than a player-related issue, with Thiago now set to focus on commitments away from Flick’s technical group. (mundodeportivo.com) ### Was this departure expected? Mundo Deportivo reported on May 20 that Thiago had not yet confirmed to the club whether he would continue under Flick next season. That report said Flick was redesigning parts of his staff after extending his contract through June 2028, with an additional optional year. (mundodeportivo.com) The May 22 update then confirmed the decision. Taken together, the two reports indicate Thiago’s status had remained unresolved until the final week of the season, before his departure was formalized at the last training session. ### How does this fit with Flick’s other comments this week? (mundodeportivo.com) Hamza Abdelkarim emerged in the same round of press conference coverage as one of the young players under consideration for the summer. Barca Blaugranes reported on May 23 that Flick said the 18-year-old forward “could be an option” for preseason as Barcelona prepare to bring some La Masia talents on their summer tour. (mundodeportivo.com) Barca Blaugranes has previously reported that Abdelkarim joined Barça Atlètic on loan with an option to buy, and another report this month said he had impressed with a hat trick. Flick’s comment does not confirm a promotion, but it places the striker among the names being considered for first-team preseason involvement. (barcablaugranes.com) ### What is happening with Andreas Christensen? Football España reported on May 22 that Barcelona had reached an agreement to extend Andreas Christensen’s contract by two years. The outlet said the decision came despite earlier expectations that the defender could leave as the club weighed center-back options for the summer. (barcablaugranes.com) Football España had reported a week earlier that Barcelona were closing in on an agreement with Christensen, whose contract situation had become a live issue after an injury-hit season. The May 22 report said that agreement had now been reached. ### What comes next for Barcelona? Barcelona play Valencia on May 23 in their final Liga match of the 2025-26 season, according to Mundo Deportivo’s preview of Flick’s press conference. (football-espana.net) Flick said in that appearance that he wanted his side to finish the campaign with a win. The next decisions are likely to come around Flick’s staff reshuffle, the makeup of Barcelona’s summer tour squad and the formal handling of Christensen’s extension. (football-espana.net) Those issues were all in focus around the club on May 22 and May 23 as the season reached its close. (mundodeportivo.com 1) (mundodeportivo.com 2)