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Football coach

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£29,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

20 to 37 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

Meet Bryan

Bryan is the head of a football academy.

A man stood on a football field with football players in the background.
BBC Bitesize logo

He has always been a passionate football fan, but never thought a career in football was a possibility.

Watch Bryan’s story on BBC Bitesize Careers

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a football coach

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

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

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

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:

Other Routes

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.

More Information

Career tips

Many paid coaching positions are part time, so the salary will reflect that. Salaries for coaches in English professional football are much higher than for those working in education, the community and for smaller football clubs.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in football coaching through England Football Learning and UK Coaching.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Depending on the age groups you work with, you might need to do the Football Association's Safeguarding Children Course.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in the community, at a school, at a college, at a university or at a sports arena.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Sports Coach

  • Wage: £8,236.80 to £16,255.20 Annually
  • Location: MIDDLEWICH

Level 4 Sports Coach Apprenticeship - Broomwood Prep for Boys

  • Wage: £10,982.40 Annually
  • Location: London

Courses In England

Sports Coaching & Performance

  • Provider: HAVANT AND SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: Waterlooville

BTEC Sports Coaching

  • Provider: KINVER HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM
  • Start date: 04 September 2024
  • Location: Stourbridge

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