The World Cup winner has joined the UAE First Division club as he works towards his Pro Licence, bringing his football philosophy and passion for young talent to one of Dubai's most ambitious football projects.
(Dubai, 1st June 2026)
Andrés Iniesta is beginning his next chapter in football. Having obtained his A Licence, the World Cup winner and Champions League-decorated midfielder has joined as Head Coach at Gulf United FC in Dubai, the city he now calls home, as he progresses towards his Pro Licence and takes his first steps on the touchline.
For Iniesta, the decision was clear. Gulf United shares his deep belief in long-term player development and the power of investing in young talent. The club fields the youngest squad in the UAE First Division. It is a country Iniesta knows well, having played his final season in the UAE with Emirates Club FC. Gulf United has built a reputation for giving former professional players their first opportunity in coaching, and Iniesta becomes the latest to begin that journey at the club.
Gulf United FC was founded in Dubai in 2019 and has grown rapidly into one of the UAE's most ambitious football clubs. The most decorated private club in the UAE, Gulf United is the first club in UAE football to achieve back-to-back titles and promotions in consecutive years. Competing in the UAE First Division with the youngest squad in the division, the club is building a genuine long-term football project, with over 600 players across all levels representing 83 nationalities.
QUOTE: ANDRÉS INIESTA
"Joining Gulf United FC feels like the right place to begin this new chapter. Football has given me everything, and now I want to give something back through coaching, through learning, and through working every day with young players who have the hunger and the talent to go far.
I believe in developing footballers the right way: with patience, with a clear idea of how the game should be played, and with genuine care for each individual. Gulf United shares that philosophy, and that is why I am here. I want to grow as a coach, gain real experience, and earn my Pro Licence."
QUOTE: AHMED EL SARAF, CLUB PRESIDENT, GULF UNITED FC
"We are proud and honoured to welcome Andrés Iniesta to Gulf United FC. He is not just one of the greatest players of his generation, he is someone who has always stood for the values we believe in: technical quality, intelligence, and a genuine love for the game.
What excites us most is that Andrés comes here because he believes in what we are building. Youth development is at the heart of Gulf United, and having someone with his experience and philosophy working alongside our young players every day will be transformational. This is a historic moment for our club and for football in Dubai and the UAE."
This move aligns with the 'Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033', which prioritizes empowering public and private clubs and enhancing their operations. The Dubai Sports Council views private clubs as essential partners in shaping the future of sports, building institutional capacity, and driving the transition toward full professionalism. Ultimately, this collaboration aims to deliver lasting sporting, economic, and social success, cementing Dubai's position as a premier global incubator for talent and a top destination for athletes.
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