Football coach

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• specialist courses run by a professional body

University

You could study for a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

• football coaching and development
• coaching science
• coaching and performance

There are also undergraduate and postgraduate courses that combine football coaching with other subjects, such as:

• sports business
• management
• talent development

You'll usually need some experience in coaching to apply for a postgraduate course.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

College

You could do a college course, which could help you to get started in football coaching.

Courses include:

• sports coaching
• sport - football coaching
• UEFA C Licence (this used to be called the FA Level 2 Coaching award)

If you hold a UEFA coaching licence, you could do a course in coaching game based football.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on a Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or the Sports Coach Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

These typically take 1 year and 6 months to complete and are a mix of workplace learning and study.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You can start as a volunteer at your local amateur football club . This will help to build up your experience and could lead onto training for coaching qualifications.

You can contact your county football association to learn more about volunteering opportunities.

You can also do online introductory courses while volunteering, through England Football Learning. These include:

• EE Playmaker
• Introduction to Coaching Football

OtherRoutes

If you're currently coaching a football team, you could apply to do a coaching course or licence .

These start at foundation level and UEFA C Licence, and go up to UEFA Pro Licence aimed at coaches working in professional football.

You can also do courses which cover different age groups, abilities and types of football, such as futsal.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• leadership skills
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• the ability to monitor performance
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to motivate and inspire
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• customer service skills
• knowledge of systems analysis and development
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of psychology
• business management skills
• a good memory
• concentration skills
• physical fitness and endurance

What you'll do:

Football coaches teach skills and tactics to individuals and teams, and motivate them to fulfil their potential.

As a football coach, you would:

• plan and run coaching sessions
• work on game tactics
• give feedback on performance and fitness, and set targets
• offer guidance on nutrition and injury prevention
• keep up to date with good coaching practice
• motivate players to develop a positive mental attitude, confidence and self-discipline

Location : You could work in the community, at a school, at a college, at a university or at a sports arena.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding and you'll travel often.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £29,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

20 - 37 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

Career Path:

As a community football coach, you could move into sports development or youth work after further training.

As a coach with a professional or semi-professional team, you might move to a bigger club to advance your career.

You could also complete higher level coaching awards, or specialise in a particular area like:

• goalkeeper or set piece coaching
• sports psychology
• mentoring new coaches