Job Description

Football coaches will train and plan coaching activities, sessions and programmes to help develop and improve the players abilities, they will give guidance on nutrition, develop and discuss strategies and techniques, may help with team selection and advise players on how to have a positive mental attitude and self discipline. Football coaches work both at amateur level with community children or adult teams or at semi-professional or professional level with football academies and clubs. Many coaches have part time paid or voluntary roles and will combine coaching with another full time job.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a college course, which will help you to get started. Relevant subjects include:

Sport (Development, Coaching And Fitness) BTEC
Diploma Level 3 - Sport Extended Certificate
Fitness Services in Sport, Extended Certificate Level 3
Football Studies Level 3

You'll need to check if your course includes the FA Coaching Awards, or if you need to take these separately.

You will need 5 GCSEs at grade 4(C) or above including English and/or maths for a Level 3.

The following local colleges offer courses in Sport:

Or your local 6th form may offer a relevant course.

Apprenticeship

You could do an intermediate apprenticeship as a sport community activator coach, if you want to work as a football coach in the community.

Employers will set their own entry requirements. However, entry requirements for an advanced apprenticeship (Level 3) 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

There are undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications for football coaching as well as courses that combine football coaching with subjects like:

sports business
management
talent development

To apply for some courses, you may need an FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching and experience of coaching in a team environment, alongside the academic requirements.

You'll usually need:

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

Career Tips

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

You'll need some footballing ability so that you can demonstrate skills and techniques when coaching. Getting experience of working with players from a variety of backgrounds and abilities is also useful.

Career Path and Progression

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

As a coach for a professional team, you could move to a bigger or higher profile club.

You could also move into a specialist area like sports psychology or goalkeeping coaching.

The FA Licensed Coaches' Club offers continuing training and progression for coaches.

Related careers you may be interested in:

Sports coach
Footballer
Football referee
Sports development officer
Sports professional

Required Skills

An excellent knowledge and interest in football
Bags of energy
Enthusiasm and the ability to motivate others
Good organisational and planning skills
The ability to give advice and constructive criticism
Determination and the drive to succeed
Excellent communication and leadership skills
A confident and professional manner.

Salary Range

£14,000 to £30,000

Salaries for coaches in English professional football are much higher than those working in education, the community and for smaller football clubs.

Football Coach