Barcelona and former Spain legend Andrés Iniesta has signed a coaching contract with Gulf United FC, a club competing in the UAE Second Division, marking the start of his managerial journey in professional football.
According to an official club statement released on Monday, Iniesta currently holds a coaching license that permits him to work with Gulf United at the second-division level, though he is still in the process of obtaining his full professional coaching badge.
“I feel that Gulf United is the perfect place to begin this new chapter,” Iniesta said. “Football has given me everything, and now I want to give something back through coaching, learning, and working daily with young players who have the passion and talent to go far.”
The World Cup and two-time European Championship winner added: “I believe in developing footballers the right way — with patience, a clear idea of how the game should be played, and a genuine connection with each individual. Gulf United shares this philosophy, and that is why I am here.”
Iniesta played his final season as a professional with UAE club Al Emiratos before announcing his retirement in 2024. Since then, the Spanish midfield icon has publicly expressed his ambitions to pursue a career in coaching, and his name has been linked with several positions, including an administrative role within the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
