Iniesta begins coaching career in the UAE second division | OneFootball

Andrés Iniesta has been appointed as the new head coach of Gulf United, marking the former Spain and Barcelona star’s first step into management.

The 40-year-old takes charge of the UAE second-tier side after ending his illustrious playing career at Emirates Club, also based in the United Arab Emirates. Iniesta retired in 2024, closing the book on one of the most decorated careers in modern football.

During his time at Barcelona, he won four Champions Leagues and nine LaLiga titles, while also enjoying major international success with Spain. He lifted two European Championships and famously scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands in extra time, securing Spain’s first-ever world title.

Iniesta had previously suggested he was unsure about moving into coaching, making this appointment something of a surprise. However, he now begins a new chapter with Gulf United, a club founded in 2019.

The team finished 10th in the UAE First Division League in the 2025/26 season, and will be hoping Iniesta’s experience and winning mentality can help guide them up the table in the coming years.