Andres Iniesta takes first coaching job at second-tier UAE club Gulf United

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/iniesta-andres/E7AksdFj/"]Iniesta[/a] ‌was at the heart ‌of the Spain and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] midfield ‌during a period of sustained ‌success for both teams in the late 2000s and early 2010s, ‌and scored the winning goal ⁠in ‌the 2010 World Cup final.[/p][p][b]"Having obtained his ​A Licence, the World Cup winner and Champions ​League-decorated midfielder has joined as head coach ... as he progresses towards ⁠his Pro ​Licence and takes his first steps on the touchline,"[/b] the UAE First Division League side ‌said in a statement on Monday.[/p][embed guid="782fb91c-ad3f-4c09-86d8-82a8faaeaf0b" url="https://x.com/GulfUnitedFC/status/2061432717984842236" social-type="twitter" /][p]Iniesta retired in 2024 and last played at Emirates Club in the UAE.[/p][p][b]"Joining [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/gulf-united/ncKaA39S/"]Gulf United FC[/a] feels like the right place to begin this new chapter," [/b]the 42-year-old said.[/p][p][b]"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."[/b][/p]