Sergio Busquets Returns to Barcelona in Reserve Team Coaching Role

Former midfielder Sergio Busquets has joined Juliano Belletti’s staff at Barça Athletic in the Spanish fourth tier to begin his coaching career.

Sergio Busquets has officially returned to Barcelona to serve as a member of manager Juliano Belletti's staff at Barça Athletic. The 38-year-old former midfielder will begin his coaching career in the Spanish fourth tier, known as the Segunda Federación, while simultaneously completing his professional coaching badges. This appointment marks a homecoming for a player who previously made 25 appearances for the reserve side before his promotion to the senior squad under Pep Guardiola.

Barça Athletic currently competes two levels below the second division, a tier they occupied as recently as 2018. The primary objective for Belletti and Busquets this season is to secure promotion back to the third tier while prioritizing the development of young talent for the Barcelona first team. Busquets brings the experience of 722 senior appearances for the Catalan club, a total surpassed only by Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernández.

A Decorated Playing Career at Camp Nou

Busquets originally joined the Barcelona youth system as a teenager in 2005. During his tenure with the senior team, he secured nine LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies. His trophy cabinet also includes numerous other domestic and international honors earned during his 18-year association with the club. On the international stage, he earned 143 caps for Spain and was a vital component of the La Roja squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships.

Upon concluding his time in Spain, Busquets moved to Major League Soccer in 2023. He signed with Inter Miami, reuniting with former Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Lionel Messi. During his stint in Florida, he made 116 appearances and helped the franchise secure the 2023 Leagues Cup followed by the 2025 MLS Cup before announcing his retirement from professional play.

Transition to the Segunda Federación

The move to the fourth tier represents a significant shift for the veteran, who spent the majority of his career competing at the highest levels of European football. The Segunda Federación serves as the current battleground for a reserve team that has struggled to maintain its historical standing in the Spanish football pyramid. By working under Belletti, Busquets will gain immediate practical experience in player management and tactical preparation within the familiar environment of the Barcelona training facilities.

Strategic Goals for Barça Athletic

The dual mandate for the coaching staff involves tactical navigation of a physical fourth-tier league and the technical refinement of prospects. Because the reserve team functions as a feeder for the senior squad, Busquets will be tasked with instilling the specific positional discipline he mastered as a player. The club aims to leverage his deep understanding of the Barcelona system to bridge the gap between the youth ranks and the first team, which is currently exploring high-profile transfers such as a €76.5M deal for Rodri and the potential arrival of Viktor Gyökeres.