Andoni Iraola could potentially bring a former Liverpool midfielder into his coaching setup at Anfield, should he be confirmed as the club’s next head coach.
The ex-Bournemouth manager is the frontrunner to replace Arne Slot, with reports suggesting the Liverpool hierarchy are keen to have the 43-year-old installed before the World Cup kicks off on 11 June. Alongside a new head coach, significant changes to the backroom staff are anticipated ahead of next season, with suggestions that a former player could be incorporated into the new setup.
Thiago linked with Liverpool coaching role
Speaking on the Media Matters podcast for Anfield Index, journalist David Lynch floated the idea of Iraola bringing Thiago Alcantara onto his staff, describing it as a logical move. “I do expect there to be someone with a Liverpool background to come in and be part of that coaching staff. Thiago makes an awful lot of sense, so I wouldn’t rule that possibility out at all,” Lynch said.
He also revealed he had spoken to sources who indicated an expectation that a former Liverpool player would feature in the new coaching structure.
When Steven Gerrard’s name was raised as a possible candidate, Lynch suggested it was unlikely to be the club legend, though he acknowledged it was a personal view, noting that Gerrard would “probably walk over broken glass” to return to Anfield in some capacity.
Thiago retired from playing two months after departing Liverpool in 2024, shortly joining Hansi Flick’s staff at Barcelona before stepping away and returning to the Camp Nou setup last September. The 35-year-old is set to appear as a pundit for BBC during the upcoming World Cup, but a return to Merseyside in a coaching capacity would likely be warmly received.
His bond with the club would endear him to supporters, and his familiarity with several current players — having previously shared a dressing room with them — would give him a head start, even if the coaching dynamic would differ considerably from his playing days.
It has also been reported that Iraola would look to bring former Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick with him — the 38-year-old being a lifelong Liverpool fan himself.
The priority remains securing Iraola’s appointment, with backroom decisions expected to follow. Should Thiago be in contention for a role, it would be a widely welcomed addition.
