Andrés Iniesta starts coaching career at Gulf United FC | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Andrés Iniesta was appointed head coach of Gulf United FC on Monday. The club compete in the United Arab Emirates second division. The former midfielder retired in 2024 after ending his playing career at Emirates Club in the top flight.

In his first coaching role, the Spaniard will work with familiar names including former Swansea and Feyenoord midfielder Leroy Fer and defender Julian Jeanvier, previously of Reims and Auxerre. The club have not disclosed the length of his contract.

Gulf United finished the 2025-2026 campaign in 10th place with the youngest squad in the league.

Iniesta considers this the right environment to begin a new chapter and says he wants to give back to the game. He also hopes to obtain his Pro Licence alongside this first assignment.

The 2010 World Cup winner won 130 caps for Spain, scoring 13 goals. He has never hidden his ambition to one day join the coaching staff of FC Barcelona or La Roja.

Source: L'Équipe