Thiago reveals Jurgen Klopp’s role in coaching career after forced retirement

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After missing more than 130 matches throughout the final four years of his career, Thiago insisted he knew it was the right time to hang his boots up – but that didn’t make it any easier “to let go of something I was in love with”. “It wasn’t difficult because of what would come next, but because I had to let go of something I was in love with, due to circumstances beyond my control.

“It was difficult, but I had to find that peace with myself, that acceptance and pride for the career I had.” Since retiring, though, Thiago has taken his first steps into the world of coaching – and is currently the assistant manager of his boyhood club, Barcelona. “What I took from Jurgen is the intensity that derives from running, passing and being well-positioned.” “It was Jurgen who told me I was going to be a coach” The Spaniard added: “I could make a long list of all the coaches who have been beneficial throughout my life: Pep Guardiola, Hansi Flick, Luis Enrique, Carlo Ancelotti, Jurgen Klopp, Jupp Heynckes.

I don’t know if it was because Jurgen had seen my grey hairs, or because we used part of the time we had on the pitch to talk and lead, but it was Jurgen who told me I was going to be a coach. While still a player, you ask yourself, ‘How can I help my teammates and other athletes?’” “Even if, at the time, you don’t label these moments or new attitudes as coaching.