Italy legend Andrea Pirlo has been appointed head coach of Dubai-based United FC, a rapidly growing club founded in 2022. Bringing extensive playing and coaching experience, Pirlo aims to lead the ambitious team to new heights. He has already arrived in Dubai and will begin training ahead of their season opener against Al Dhaid on September 20.
Italy’s legendary midfielder and World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo has officially embarked on a fresh chapter in his managerial career as the newly appointed head coach of Dubai-based United FC. The club, only founded in 2022, has quickly risen through the ranks of UAE football and now looks to Pirlo’s vast experience to push them toward greater heights in the country’s competitive first division.
United FC, also known as Dubai United, is a rapidly emerging Emirati professional football club. Founded just under three years ago in September 2022, the club immediately set ambitious goals for itself. Under the leadership of President Ilie Cebanu, the club has focused on laying a strong foundation both on and off the pitch. Playing home matches at Dubai’s ISD Stadium Pitch, United FC has paired its investment in infrastructure with impressive on-field results.
In their inaugural 2022-23 season, United FC earned promotion from the UAE Second Division by finishing second, boasting the best offensive and defensive records in the league. Their dramatic end to that campaign included crucial victories over Fleetwood United FC and Al-Hilal United FC, securing their spot in the UAE First Division for the 2025-26 season.
With such rapid progress, the appointment of Andrea Pirlo signals United FC’s desire to establish themselves as a formidable force in the UAE. Club President Ilie Cebanu expressed his enthusiasm: “We are proud to welcome Andrea to the United FC family. He embodies the values and ambitions of our club, and we believe he will be a key figure in taking us to the next level.” The club’s official statement added: “United Football Club is delighted to officially announce the appointment of Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach of the first team. A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006 and one of the most iconic midfielders of his generation, Pirlo brings with him a unique footballing vision and valuable coaching experience gained at Juventus and Sampdoria. His arrival marks an exciting new chapter in United’s history and reflects the club’s growing ambitions on the football pitch in the UAE.”
Andrea Pirlo, now 46, is widely regarded as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in football history. Known for his sublime vision, impeccable technique, and exceptional free-kick ability, Pirlo’s playing career is decorated with top honors. He played 116 matches for Italy, becoming a key figure in their 2006 FIFA World Cup triumph, where he earned the Bronze Ball and was named in the Team of the Tournament. Beyond that, he starred in multiple European Championships and World Cups, earning recognition among the world’s elite midfielders. At club level, Pirlo’s journey took him from his hometown Brescia to Inter Milan, then to AC Milan, where he won two Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies. Later, at Juventus, he collected four consecutive Serie A titles and domestic cups before finishing his playing career with a stint in MLS at New York City FC. He retired in 2017 after a remarkable 22-year professional career. Pirlo transitioned to coaching in 2020. His managerial timeline includes:
Juventus (2020-2021): Taking over from Maurizio Sarri, Pirlo won the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia in his first year. Despite this, he was dismissed after one season due to a fourth-place Serie A finish and a round-of-16 exit in the Champions League.
Fatih Karagümrük (2022-2023): Pirlo signed a one-year contract with the Istanbul-based Turkish Süper Lig club. Under his guidance, the team finished 9th. The club decided not to renew his contract before the season’s end.
Sampdoria (2023-2024): Appointed in June 2023 to lead the recently relegated Serie B club back to Serie A, Pirlo faced a challenging campaign. Sampdoria finished seventh and were eliminated in the promotion playoffs. A poor start to the following season led to his dismissal in August 2024.
Despite these mixed managerial results, Pirlo remains a respected football thinker, known for his unique style and vision on the pitch. Pirlo’s appointment is more than a routine coaching hire; it is a statement by United FC about their ambitions in the UAE’s football scene. For Pirlo, this role offers a significant opportunity to rebuild and redefine his coaching philosophy in a new environment. Having been out of management since August 2024, when he left Sampdoria, Pirlo arrives in Dubai refreshed and eager. The club confirmed that he has already arrived and will start training the team soon in preparation for the upcoming season. His first official match in charge is scheduled for September 20 against Al Dhaid.