Former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara has revealed why Hansi Flick left such a strong impression on him, explaining how his time working with the German helped influence his ambitions of becoming a manager.
Speaking to David Ornstein, the former Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder reflected on the coaches who influenced him throughout his career.
While he played under several of football’s most respected managers, his final eight months at Bayern Munich under Flick proved particularly valuable in shaping his understanding of the job.
Thiago later joined Flick’s coaching staff at Barcelona, gaining further experience before beginning his next steps towards a career in management.
Thiago explains what impressed him most about Flick
Thiago highlighted Flick’s ability to combine effective team management with a close relationship with his players, describing an approach that went beyond tactics alone.
“He was good at managing the team, but he was so close to the players and so down-to-earth,” said Thiago.
Thiago Alcantara worked with Hansi Flick at Barcelona. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Their time together at Bayern gave the Spaniard a clear picture of the qualities he wants to bring to his own coaching career.
He learned about tactical preparation, managing a squad and building genuine connections with players.
Those lessons became particularly relevant when Thiago returned to Barcelona as part of Flick’s coaching staff.
Having experienced the German’s methods as a player, he was able to observe them from a different perspective and begin translating that knowledge into his own development.
Guardiola, Klopp and Luis Enrique also influenced Thiago
Notably, Flick was not the only influential figure in Thiago’s career.
The former midfielder also reflected on the distinct qualities of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, two managers who helped shape his understanding of football.
Thiago is now working to acquire his coaching license. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking about Guardiola, Thiago described him as “a genius when it comes to tactics and how he communicates things.”
On Klopp, he highlighted “how he manages a squad and how he handles that intensity.”
Thiago also discussed Luis Enrique, explaining how the Paris Saint-Germain manager combines elements of those approaches.
According to the former Barcelona midfielder, “he’s a blend of the two.”
Having worked under Guardiola, Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and Flick, Thiago has experienced several different coaching philosophies at the highest level.
Each has offered lessons that could influence the kind of manager he eventually becomes.