Coaching

Plan and lead training, develop players and shape how teams play, from grassroots to the first team.

Coaches work at every level of the game: community programmes, schools, grassroots clubs, academies, women’s and men’s first teams and national teams. Most people start by volunteering and taking their first coaching courses, then build experience with one age group before moving up.

5 careers in this sector

  • Academy coach

    Youth coach, phase coach, age group coach

    Academy coaches plan and deliver training for young players in a club’s academy, helping them develop as footballers and as people.

  • 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.

  • Football development officer

    Community coach, football participation officer, community trust coach

    Football development officers run programmes that get more people playing football, working with schools, community groups and grassroots clubs.

  • Goalkeeping coach

    Goalkeeper coach, GK coach

    Goalkeeping coaches design specialist training for goalkeepers and help them improve their handling, positioning, distribution and decision-making.

  • Strength and conditioning coach

    S&C coach, sports scientist, fitness coach

    Strength and conditioning coaches plan gym and pitch programmes that make players faster, stronger and more resistant to injury.