Thiago already gave big Liverpool hint about his next step after retiring from football

Erstwhile Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has retired from football. His spell at Anfield proved to be his last as a player, but the Reds might have a pretty shrewd idea about what comes next .

Breaking the news, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Thiago still has a "passion and love" for the game, and has spent months planning for his next chapter. It's not yet been specified what that is, but Jurgen Klopp is among those who could take a good guess.

Like Xabi Alonso before him, Thiago is lucky to have worked under a succession of top coaches, including both Klopp and Pep Guardiola . Clearly well-versed in the tactics of the game, his path to becoming a manager looks almost too obvious.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Koopmeiners price tag confirmed, Kvaratskhelia tipped for move, Gordon hope

READ MORE: Liverpool could have guessed sorry end for Thiago and must not repeat retirement home mistake

In fact, he dropped one or two hints in his final couple of years at Liverpool. The last 18 months of his Anfield career was horrendously injury-hit, and he barely made it onto the pitch, but he was contributing in other ways.

In the famous 4-3 win over Tottenham in April 2023, Thiago was with the squad despite not having been named in the starting line-up or among the substitutes. Donning his big puffer jacket, he looked every inch a part of the coaching staff.

And when Klopp turned to Darwin Nunez for the last 20 minutes, it was Thiago who could be seen giving him final instructions. No doubt relying on their shared language, he relayed a message to the striker, who listened intently before taking the field.

Thiago was reportedly approached recently to become a coach at his former club Barcelona ( Sport Bible ), so it seems like it may be an avenue he is set to explore. And all the signs suggest he would do an excellent job.

Liverpool.com says: Even just from watching Thiago when he was able to play for Liverpool, it was possible to guess he might one day be a coach. He seems to see everything on the football pitch, understanding the bigger picture and what needs to happen to change it where necessary.

There are plenty of parallels to his compatriot Alonso. The only real question is whether Liverpool should be among those offering him his first step in coaching, getting him on board with the youth setup or even Arne Slot's backroom team. After all, with so many departures after Klopp left, there are vacancies to fill.

And as the Nunez interaction showed, his language skills could come in handy. Born in Italy to a Brazilian father and representing Spain internationally, Thiago has a diverse background on which to draw.