Barcelona cult hero Henrik Larsson returns to the Nou Camp as assistant to Ronald Koeman

Former Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson has returned to the club after 13 years following his appointment as an assistant coach in new boss Ronald Koeman's coaching setup.

Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the 48-year-old Swede was seriously being considered as an option in the role even before Koeman's appointment as fired boss Quique Setien's replacement had been made official.

However, Larsson has now signed a two-year deal to be part of coaching staff under Koeman - with whom he played with at Eredivisie side Feyenoord between 1995 and 1997 as the Dutchman was coming to the end of his career.

Koeman and Larsson both have playing careers that featured spells at the Nou Camp and have now reunited 23 years later in Spain after their time at the Dutch outfit.

The former Sweden international will be joined by Dutchman Alfred Schreuder, who was part of Erik ten Hag's Ajax setup that reached the Champions League semi-finals last year and who managed Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for a year following Julian Nagelsmann's departure.

Larsson has been out of the game for a year after quitting his managerial role at Swedish side Helsingborgs, having also taken charge at Falkenbergs.

After leaving Celtic in 2004, Larsson joined Barca where over the next two seasons he would score 22 goals in 62 games to help the club win the Champions League as well as two LaLiga titles and a Spanish Supercup trophy.

The news will come as a boost to 57-year-old Koeman, who is facing uncertainty over the future of star Lionel Messi.

The Argentine star informed the former Netherlands international and boss that he is 'more out than in' at Barcelona and has no faith in current president Josep Bartomeu.

Manchester City will be on alert following the news, but despite Messi's apparent unrest his contract situation remains a huge barrier to him leaving.

He has one year left and so is still tied to a £630million (€700m) release clause.