Sergio Busquets returns to Barcelona as reserve team assistant coach

Sergio Busquets has returned to Barcelona in a coaching capacity, nearly a year after retiring from professional play. The 38-year-old former midfielder joined the reserve team's backroom staff on Monday as an assistant coach under Juliano Belletti, who manages Barca Atletic.

Busquets made 722 appearances for Barcelona during his 15-year playing career at the club, which he joined in the 2008-09 season after developing through the club's La Masia academy. He departed Barcelona in 2023 to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he played alongside former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba. He retired from professional football at the end of the 2025 MLS season.

The new role forms part of Busquets's preparation for a managerial career. While working with Barca Atletic's young players, he will complete the coaching qualifications required to obtain his coaching license. Barca Atletic, previously known as Barcelona B, primarily features players from La Masia who are working toward promotion to the club's senior squad. The reserve team competes in Segunda División, Spain's second tier of professional football.

Barcelona noted in its announcement that other notable figures, including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, previously worked with Barcelona's reserve team before beginning their managerial careers at other clubs. Belletti, a Brazilian who won multiple titles during his own playing career at Barcelona, leads the Barca Atletic coaching staff.