Andres Iniesta Begins His Coaching Career in the United Arab Emirates
The Spanish icon played his final matches in this country, where he is now preparing for his first adventure as a head coach. Here are all the details.
Spanish legend Andres Iniesta, as he announced back on October 8, 2024, when confirming his retirement from professional football, is ready to begin his coaching career. One of the greatest football minds of his generation is on the verge of taking charge of a club in the United Arab Emirates, where he currently resides.
THE DETAILS
Pending official confirmation, and according to Italian insider Fabrizio Romano, “El Fantasmita” is set to take over Gulf United FC, a Dubai-based second division side founded in 2019.
After hanging up his boots with Emirates Club two years ago, Iniesta revealed that he had already begun his coaching courses. This latest development confirms the start of a new chapter in football for a player who was always considered a leader on the pitch.
He would become the second Spanish manager in the club’s history after David Iglesias took charge in 2025. The club is owned by British coaches Conor Shiels and Jacob Shaun Watson, making Iniesta’s potential appointment one that has generated major excitement.
A GOOD DECISION?
Like his former FC Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernández, Iniesta wants to work his way up from the ground level. Xavi began his coaching career with Al Sadd SC in Qatar, where he won seven titles.
Iniesta, meanwhile, is taking over a club with less tradition but with ambitions of earning promotion to the UAE Pro League, the country’s top division. Achieving that goal could open the door to even bigger opportunities in other clubs and leagues, including within the UAE’s elite competition.
MORE THAN QUALIFIED
This is not the only qualification held by the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner with Spain. In 2023, Iniesta graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences from the Psychology Faculty at Blanquerna-URL.
There is no doubt he is taking this new stage very seriously, just as he did throughout his legendary career as a midfielder.
HE COULD HAVE MANAGED MOROCCO
Although this will be his first experience as a head coach, Iniesta had previously been linked with the Morocco national football team job back in March, when reports suggested he could replace Walid Regragui. Morocco currently sits among the world’s elite following its historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In the end, negotiations fell through, and Mohamed Ouahbi will now lead the Atlas Lions into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
