Football manager Andrea Pirlo strikes fresh agreement with Manchester United, following the compulsory departure of a team striker.
Andrea Pirlo Takes on New Challenge as Head Coach of United FC in UAE's Second Tier
Football legend Andrea Pirlo has accepted a new role as the head coach of United FC, a UAE football club based in Dubai that competes in the UAE First Division League, the second tier below the UAE Pro League. The Italian World Cup winner and former Juventus head coach has signed a two-year contract starting in July 2025, with his first match scheduled for September 20, 2025.
United FC, founded in September 2022, finished fourth in the UAE First Division last year. The club has ambitions to progress further up the domestic ladder under Pirlo's leadership, aiming for promotion to the UAE Pro League in the future. Ilie Cebanu, the current president of United FC and a former Moldovan international goalkeeper, expressed strong confidence in Pirlo’s ability to elevate the club.
Cebanu stated that Pirlo embodies the values and ambitions of United Football Club. The club's previous achievement includes a promotion from the UAE Second Division during the 2022–23 season, where they finished second. Pirlo's extensive experience, including his tenure as Juventus head coach, may give him an advantage in the UAE's second tier.
The UAE Pro League is the top-flight professional football league in the United Arab Emirates, representing the highest level of football competition in the country. It features the best clubs and most recognized players in the UAE. United FC's aspirations are to compete in the UAE Pro League one day, and Pirlo's role is expected to be a key figure in their aspirations.
Notably, Quincy Promes represented United Football Club during the 2024/25 season, scoring 19 goals in 20 league appearances. However, Promes will not be available to Pirlo this season due to his extradition to the Netherlands for drug trafficking and aggravated assault charges.
Pirlo's tenure at United Football Club marks his return to management after a short hiatus. His last management role was at Fatih Karagumruk in Turkey's top flight, where he had a 1.29 points-per-game average. Andrea Pirlo ranked eighth in our website's list of the best-ever Italian players.
In summary, Pirlo's new challenge is with United FC in the UAE's second-tier league, where he is expected to use his extensive experience to push the club towards promotion and higher success in UAE football. The UAE Pro League remains the top domestic competition above the league where United FC currently competes. The UAE Pro League season starts at the end of September.
Despite his new challenge in the UAE's Second Division League, Andrea Pirlo aims to leverage his football expertise gained from European leagues, such as Serie A, to elevate United FC and propel them towards promotion to the UAE Pro League. United FC aspires to follow in the footsteps of the UAE Pro League's top-tier clubs, where renowned players showcase their skills.
