In a major development, Fabrizio Romano reports that FC Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta will make his debut as a coach next season.
The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder is set to begin his career on the touchline by taking charge of Gulf United FC in Dubai.
Iniesta begins managerial career
After an extraordinary playing career that made him one of the most decorated and admired midfielders in football history, Iniesta is now set to start a completely new chapter in his life.
With preparations already underway for next season across the football world, Iniesta now joins the growing list of former elite players making the transition into coaching, bringing his experience, tactical intelligence and understanding of the game to the dugout.
🚨🇦🇪 EXCL: Andrés Iniesta set to start his managerial career with first head coach job agreed.
He’s signing for Gulf United in Dubai, all agreed with signatures to follow. 👔🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/0OIy4Obooq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 22, 2026
The legendary former midfielder will take charge of Gulf United FC, who play in the UAE First Division.
Founded in 2019, the club achieved back-to-back promotions in 2022 and 2023 to make it to the top-flight in UAE.
In the ongoing season, Gulf United are currently tenth in the table of 15 teams, having managed only 25 points from 26 games.
Iniesta, therefore, will have his task cut out to turn around the fortunes of the club next season.
Returning to the Middle East
After bidding goodbye to Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta went on to play for Vissel Kobe in Japan for five years until 2023.
Andres Iniesta of Vissel Kobe
Andres Iniesta set to start his managerial journey. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
The 42-year-old legend then made the move to the Middle East, signing for Emirates Club in UAE, where he spent one season before eventually announcing his retirement.
During his retirement speech, Iniesta had alluded to the possibility of returning to Barcelona as a coach, saying:
“I would like to return to Barça at some point in my life. I think we have had so much influence and with so many years at this club in one way or another they have to be.
“The moment I can feel that I can contribute what I did as a player in other roles, I would be delighted. If I’m a coach one day it will be the Iniesta profile, like any other.”
Now, Iniesta will return to the country to start his coaching career, taking a similar path to his former midfield partner Xavi Hernandez, who began his managerial journey in Qatar with Al Sadd before eventually returning home to Barcelona.
Only time will tell whether Iniesta also makes his return to the club as a manager in the future.