Story byBarcelona legend may soon start his coaching career amid interest from MoroccoBarca UniversalFri, January 23, 2026 at 5:48 PM UTC·2 min readFifteen months after hanging up his boots, Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta appears ready to embark on his next chapter in football. The genius from Fuentealbilla, who retired in October 2024 after 22 glorious seasons, is accelerating his transition from the pitch to the dugout, and a surprising suitor has emerged. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIniesta approached by MoroccoAccording to Catalunya Radio, Iniesta has been linked with a move to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. It appears Iniesta held talks with federation officials last weekend in Rabat regarding a potential role within their ambitious sporting project. While the specific position – whether as a coach, assistant, or technical director – remains undefined, the interest is concrete. Morocco are looking to add Iniesta’s winning mentality to a setup that has skyrocketed in global stature. Will Iniesta soon start his coaching career? (Photo by Julian Finney/)Under head coach Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and are currently the AFCON runners-up, boasting stars like Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIniesta has been preparing for this moment in the United Arab Emirates, the country where he played his final minutes as a professional. He has been working to “transport the magic” he displayed on the field to the tactical sphere. The midfielder recently teased his progress on social media, posting a photo of himself in the centre of a huddle, commanding the attention of players while holding a tactical board. If he accepts the African proposal, Iniesta would be jumping onto a moving train that is already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. It would mark a high-profile start to his post-playing career, which he would balance alongside his extensive business portfolio in wine, real estate, and cycling.
