Thiago Alcantara Set For A Shocking Liverpool Return?

David Lynch has today reported that Liverpool are rumoured to be appointing a new coach who has experience playing at the club. With Tommy Elphick, a lifelong Red’s fan, expected to join Andoni Iraola at Anfield, who is this former player that will join the coaching team?

Surely, it must be Thiago Alcantara. The Spanish maestro has recently left the newly crowned La Liga champions, with the Barcelona manager stating that Thiago ‘has his own plans’.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder had initially joined in an assistant role in the summer of 2024, before having to return to the UK for regulatory reasons, and then rejoined Hansi Flick’s coaching team again in 2025. Thiago’s role was to assist with tactical training, midfield mentoring, and to act as a vital connection between the playing and coaching staff.

With senior figures like Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate all departing Anfield this summer, Thiago could act as the perfect addition to the changing room this summer, with the Reds also expected to add extra midfield players to the squad. But will Thiago be the only Liverpool legend returning this summer?

Premier League record appearance holder and former youngest ever goal scorer, James Milner, this morning announced his retirement from football. Excited Liverpool fans have taken to social media to call for the former Leeds United youth player to return to Liverpool to provide that much-needed leadership in the changing room.

Having appeared on the Peter Crouch podcast in 2026, Milner stated he’d probably take some time away before jumping straight into Management. However, Milner could have the perfect opportunity to join the refreshed coaching staff, expected to be led by Iraola in a role which would see his on-pitch leadership translate perfectly into the coaching setup.

READ MORE: James Milner Announces Retirement From Football

Vitor Matos, now Swansea City Head Coach, served as Liverpool’s elite development coach and was a crucial part of Jurgen Klopp’s success during his final few seasons at Anfield. Aaron Briggs was appointed to replace Matos within Slot’s staff before being sacked during the 2025/26 having also taken on set-piece duties.

The Reds also added Luiz Fernando Iubel as PDP individual development lead coach in September 2025, but the Matos void still exists, and Milner could prove to be the perfect replacement to interface across the first team coaching and managing the transition between youth development.

With players like Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha struggling for regular first-team minutes, James Milner could offer the ideal personality to drive these opportunities, as well as drive first-team standards, which has been a note of concern for departing stars like Salah.

So, with news that we may have a returning legend creating excitement, could we even have two?