First team coach
Assistant coach, assistant manager, first team assistant
First team coaches plan and deliver training for a club’s senior squad and support the head coach before, during and after matches.
Average salary (a year)
£40,000£110,000
StarterExperienced
Starter £40,000 to experienced £110,000
Typical hours (a week)
45 to 55plus match days
You could work
evenings, weekends and bank holidaysregularly
How to become a first team coach
You can get into this job through:
Courses, badges and licences
Football’s governing bodies run courses that are recognised across the game.
You’ll usually need the UEFA A Licence, and senior roles in professional leagues require the UEFA Pro Licence. Specialist courses, for example in set pieces or analysis, can help.
Applying directly
You may be able to apply directly to clubs and organisations.
Most first team coaches have years of experience in academy or non-league coaching, or a professional playing career. Jobs are often filled through contacts, so building a network matters.
Other routes
Former professional players can take part in the FA’s and leagues’ coaching programmes for ex-players, which include placements at clubs.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- leadership and the ability to manage elite players
- tactical knowledge and the ability to plan detailed sessions
- excellent communication and presentation skills
- the ability to stay calm under pressure
- an understanding of analysis and sports science data
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll usually need to:
- hold the UEFA A or Pro Licence for professional roles
- hold in-date safeguarding and first aid certificates
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day tasks you could:
- plan and run training with the head coach
- prepare tactics and set pieces for matches
- work with analysts on opposition reports
- give individual feedback to players
- help manage the squad on match days
- attend meetings on recruitment and player welfare
Working environment
You’ll work at a training ground and stadium and travel to away matches, sometimes abroad. The job can be insecure: coaches often leave when the head coach changes.
Career path and progression
You could become a head coach or manager, a technical director, or a national team coach.
Current opportunities
There are no first team coach jobs open right now. New jobs are added every day: set up a job alert to hear about them first.
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Salaries and hours are typical figures for the UK and vary by club, league, location and experience. Last updated November 14, 2026.