How to become a football coach

Q: What does a football coach do?

The roles and responsibilities of a football coach are very varied, making for a very exciting list of day-to-day tasks. As the team’s main trainer, a football coach is responsible for the physical and mental wellbeing of the players and should be entirely dedicated to helping them improve their footballing skills as much as possible.

Q: What is the difference between a head coach and a manager?

Two careers in football that work very closely with each other, football coaches and managers share the responsibility of trying to draw the best out of their players in order to win matches. While the roles and responsibilities of a football coach are primarily done behind the scenes, working to improve a player’s skills in order to boost their match performance, a manager performs a more organisational role.

Q: How much does a football coach get paid?

A standard football coach salary can be anywhere from £18,000 to £28,000 a year, depending on the level of football and, with plenty of room for development in many clubs, this career path provides a very respectable salary. There are also many football coaching volunteer opportunities, if this is something you’d like to pursue as more of a hobby than a career.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be a football coach?

In order to become a football coach, you must first have completed and passed a coaching qualification that is recognised by the Football Association. The FA also offer their own online football coaching courses which cover all the skills and knowledge required to be a good coach. View the full list of football coaching courses offered by the FA on their website.

Becoming a football coach is about far more than drawing up plays and shouting from the sidelines; it’s about leadership, mentorship, and a passion for helping players grow both on and off the field. Whether you’re a former player looking to stay connected to the game, a parent inspired to step into a coaching role, or simply someone who loves football and wants to guide others, the path to coaching is both rewarding and achievable. No matter your starting point, there’s a place for you on the touchline.

In this guide, we’ll break down the essential steps, skills, and qualifications you need to start your journey, along with insights to help you build confidence and credibility in the world of coaching, for an easy start into your new career path.

What does a football coach do?

Football coaches play a vital role in shaping both the performance and development of their players and typically have varied to-do lists - which can make every day feel exciting. As the team’s main trainer, a football coach is responsible for the physical well-being of the players and should be entirely dedicated to helping them improve their footballing skills as much as possible.

A few of the main responsibilities of football coaches include:

Designing and leading training sessions in a way that's been adapted to the players' needs
Managing team selection
Creating strategies for upcoming games
Running drills and activities for football training sessions
Analysing players' performance to address specific weaknesses
Providing feedback to players to help them improve their skills
Encouraging and supporting players emotionally to build confidence
Maintaining awareness of current coaching guidelines
Following and instructing others on safety rules to reduce the risk of injury.

Of course, these responsibilities can change slightly depending on the type of team you manage. For example, youth teams for kids under the age of 14 should have more of a focus on development and encouragement, whereas coaches working with older, more experienced players will need a deeper understanding of strategy and the game itself.

Becoming a football coach

1. Assess your starting point

Before you begin your coaching journey, it’s important to take an honest look at where you’re starting from. Think about your current connection to the game. Have you played football before, helped with a local team, or simply followed the sport as a passionate fan? While prior playing experience can be helpful, it’s not essential; what matters most is your motivation to learn and support others.

Knowing where you’re starting from helps to set the foundations for your journey into becoming a full-fledged coach. It’ll help you understand what qualifications you’ll need to start with, how much experience you’ll need to acquire and what the first steps will look like for you.

2. Get the necessary qualifications

To become a football coach, you must first have completed and passed a coaching qualification that is recognised by the Football Association. Most aspiring coaches begin with entry-level courses offered by their national football association, such as The FA’s Introduction to Coaching Football or equivalent beginner badges. These courses cover essential topics like session planning, safeguarding, player development, and basic tactics.

As you build experience, you can progress to more advanced certifications, such as UEFA C, B, or A licences, which open the door to higher-level coaching roles. Choosing the appropriate qualification for your experience level ensures you develop your coaching skills in a structured, recognised way and positions you for future opportunities in the sport.

3. Gain practical experience

Outside of education, having football coaching experience listed on your CV can make you a more appealing candidate for a job. Practical experience is where coaching skills truly come to life, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world situations. Starting out, many aspiring coaches gain experience by volunteering or assisting with local youth teams, school programs, or community clubs.

Even short-term opportunities, like helping run training sessions or match-day support, can teach you valuable lessons about communication, player management, and adapting drills on the fly. Shadowing experienced coaches is another effective way to learn best practices and see how theory translates into action. The more time you spend in coaching environments, the more confident you’ll become in leading sessions, making tactical decisions, and handling the unpredictable challenges that arise on and off the pitch, which will look great on your CV.

4. Create a portfolio

Creating a coaching portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your skills, experience, and professional development as a football coach. A well-organised portfolio can include:

Your coaching qualifications
Session plans you’ve created
Training logs
Match analyses
Any achievements or feedback from teams you’ve worked with

These portfolios serve as tangible proof of your abilities and progression, making it easier to apply for coaching roles or progress to higher levels. Beyond demonstrating competence, a portfolio also helps you reflect on your own growth, identify areas for improvement, and refine your coaching philosophy over time. Making it both a professional tool and a personal record of your journey in the world of football coaching.

5. Finding coaching opportunities

When finding coaching opportunities, start by reaching out to local clubs, schools, and community programs, many of which are eager for volunteers or assistant coaches. Networking can also be a great way to open doors and you can do this by attending coaching courses, workshops, and football events that help you meet experienced industry professionals and discover opportunities that aren’t widely advertised.

Online platforms and job boards dedicated to sports roles can also be useful for finding paid or part-time positions. When approaching clubs or organisations, a professional attitude, clear communication, and a willingness to learn can make a strong impression and increase your chances of securing a role.

6. Continue developing your skills

Landing your first coaching role is just the beginning; continued growth and development are key to long-term success. Once you’re on the job, focus on refining your skills through experience, feedback, and reflection. You can choose to pursue advanced coaching qualifications, attend or host your own talks or workshops and stay up to date with the latest tactics, sports science, and player development techniques to ensure you’re always on top of your game.

Setting personal goals, experimenting with new training methods, and embracing challenges will help you evolve as a coach. The most successful coaches view their career as a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and improving, ensuring they can inspire and guide their players to reach their full potential.

FAQs:

What's the difference between a football coach and a manager?

While these two roles work closely together, they carry different responsibilities. A football coach primarily focuses on developing players’ skills, fitness, and tactical understanding through training sessions, while managers have a broader role that includes not only overseeing coaching staff but also managing transfers and long-term club planning.

Coaches work closely with players on technical improvement, team cohesion, and match preparation. In contrast, managers often handle media relations, set the overall direction of the team, and are accountable for results on and off the pitch. It’s important to know the difference so you know you’re picking the right career path for yourself.

How much do football coaches get paid?

Of course, working within your favourite sport, doing what you love day after day, is incredibly rewarding and will be what drives you through your career, but knowing you’ll earn enough money to live on is important too.

The earnings of football coaches can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and the level of football. At the grassroots or youth level, many coaches start as volunteers or earn modest stipends, often between £15,000 and £28,000 per year. As such, many coaches choose to do this alongside another paid job. However, as coaches gain experience and acquire advanced certifications, opportunities at semi-professional or professional clubs can significantly increase their income, sometimes ranging from £30,000 to £80,000 annually.

At the elite professional level, top-tier coaches and managers can earn six-figure salaries, or considerably more, depending on the league, club, and their track record.

What qualifications do you need to be a football coach?

To become a football coach, you’ll need a combination of formal qualifications and practical experience. A few of these qualifications include:

The FA’s Level 1 or Level 2 coaching badges
The FA Higher Level 3 (UEFA B License) and Level 4 (UEFA A License)
Courses in first aid, child protection, and sports psychology are also highly recommended
You will also need a DBS check if you’re working with children

You can find these football qualifications and courses on the FA’s official website. With a variety of courses to choose from, you’ll be able to find the right one, no matter if you’re starting from scratch or looking to get a higher qualification to improve your established career.

Be prepared for football coaching with Avec Sport

Becoming a football coach is an exciting journey that combines passion, dedication, and continuous learning. From gaining the right qualifications and practical experience to building a coaching portfolio and finding opportunities, each step helps you grow both as a mentor and a leader.

If you’re looking to guide your club with a strong team identity as well as boost morale, you can browse our custom kits to supply your team with something they can feel proud of. Or, if you’re a coach looking to start a football team of your own, you can read more on our full guide on how to start a football team for helpful advice.