UEFA A Licence

For all current, former and always learning UEFA A candidates to share ideas, sessions and improve the pass rate on UEFA A coaching across the world.

[Temisan Williams @Coach_Temisan]

“Don’t do it for the money.”

That’s the line coaches often hear.

Followed by:
→ “You should do it for the love of the game.”
→ “The reward is seeing the players make it.”
→ “A simple thank you should be enough.”

It may sound "honorable," BUT let’s talk about why this rhetoric is dangerous (especially when speaking to young coaches).

• Coaches still have families.
• Coaches still want to buy homes.
• Coaches still want financial stability.

As of 2024, the average first-time buyer in the UK is 33 years and 8 months old.

AND many coaches still live paycheck to paycheck.

50+ hour weeks.
Working evenings,
Long weekends away,

Do you know the irony?

Coaches are told not to chase money…
…but we’re expected to spend £1000s on coaching badges.

Then what?
→ A part-time role on £20 a session?
→ A full-time role at £25k in a city where rent alone is £1,200?

Is it any surprise that the average age of academy coaches is getting younger?

The reality is this:

Older, experienced coaches are quietly leaving because they simply can’t afford to stay.

And look elsewhere…

→ In the UAE, coaches are being flown out and housed.

→ In the USA, full-time youth coaches earn salaries that are 2x or 3x more than academy roles in the UK.

→ In Scandinavia, coaching education and work-life balance are prioritised.

(Even José Mourinho worked as a freelance PE teacher while coaching part-time before he got his break.)

So NO, this isn't about greed.

It’s about survival, fairness, and sustainability.

Love for the game has been "weaponised" for far too long as a reason to underpay professionals.

Because when we devalue coaching careers, we:

• Lose experienced mentors
• Undermine player development
• Push talented people out of the game

If we want the best for our players, we need to offer the best to our coaches.

"Coaches, what’s your experience with pay in football?"

[Steve Guinan @guins1]

Incredible weekend spent in Como, Italy on behalf of @EnglandLearning with a top group of coaches and managers. Huge thanks to @Como_1907 and @cesc4official for being so open and hospitable ⚽️🇮🇹🙌🏼

[Paul Martyn @pmlegend57]

Always a great football environment visiting the @AcademyWFC with @WaterfordFCie training alongside.. @UEFA_A_LICENCE and @UEFA B Licence #coaching practices

[Jessica Osborne @jessicaozzy10]

Enjoyable 3 days on Residential Block 2 of the @FAWCoachEd UEFA A Licence. Another great opportunity to learn and develop📚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[Harry Smart @HSmart44]

Buzzing to have started on the UEFA A Licence yesterday. Looking forward to the next 9 months of sharing ideas and developing. ⚽️ 📚

[⚽️ FAW Coaching @FAWCoachEd]

Great weekend spent with the new FAW / UEFA A Licence cohort @DragonParkWales.

Good opportunity to work with the @FAWPathway National Academi U16’s team who supported the practical delivery. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚽️

[Steve Guinan @guins1]

A brilliant few days with with @EnglandLearning on the UEFA Pro Licence in London focusing on high performing environments. Thank you to everyone for your hospitality

[Dougie Anderson @DougieAnderso12]

Well done to our 2024 UEFA B Licence course 2 cohort on completion of Phase 2 coaching practice.
Tremendous effort and energy from the guys over last 6 days.
Thanks to all our staff for their contributions to a great course. #ScottishFACoachED

[Peter Wilson @p_wilson94]

First in person contact on the @FAWCoachEd Pro Licence over the past week. A fantastic, eye opening experience from the #FAWCoachConf, gaining insight into leadership from @KRConnect & @FieriL_D. A fantastic and special group of humans who I am lucky to call friends!

[Steve Guinan @guins1]

End of another @EnglandLearning UEFA A Licence block for senior professional players at St. George’s Park, some really talented coaches on show, no doubt one or two who will go onto have great careers in the game. Well done everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️🙌🏼

[UEFA A Licence @UEFA_A_LICENCE]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[Juan Dopazo @juradolo]

I was notified today by the @ScottishFA that I achieved the UEFA A Licence

Thank you to all the tutors and fellow candidates for an amazing learning experience, special mention to @DougieAnderso12 Jack Ross & Robbie Neilson for their support

#ScottishFACoachEd

[Temisan Williams @Coach_Temisan]

"𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬!"

As an Academy Coach I’ve lost 100s of times..

…but one experience taught me more than I could have learnt on my UEFA B Licence…

A 5-0 loss to Chelsea at U15s

➠ Here’s why…

↓

[England Football Learning @EnglandLearning]

GOALKEEPING WEBINAR | The goalkeeper in possession: actions and skills 🧤

Join @tucks_gkcoach, @AnthonyWhite91 and @MattDoyleGK as they explore the importance of integrating goalkeepers into your in-possession practices.

📅 Monday 3 July
⏰ 7.30pm

Book your place 👇

[Ross McKenna @rossmckenna_]

Delighted to have received my UEFA B Licence through the @FAWCoachEd . An enjoyable course, and looking forward to furthering my development⚽️

[Amy Merricks @AmyMerricks]

Over the moon to complete the UEFA Pro Licence.

18 months of learning with a fantastic group of people.

Grateful to those that have supported me throughout ��

[Rajab Noor @CoachNoor]

Today the UEFA Pro Licence application window opens. A lot of football people have aspirations to complete this qualification, it��s been refreshing to see people working in different environments speak highly of this course.

https://t.co/HNHaguhkTi

[Ben Evs @BenEvs2]

Great 1st residential block on the @FAWales @UEFA_A_LICENCE
Was great to meet so many coaches from around the world and learn from some of the best @FAWCoachEd coaches/mentors.

[Steve Guinan @guins1]

First full day of @EnglandLearning UEFA Pro Licence, an input from current @HibernianFC Technical Director Brian McDermott, @paulhars discussing strategies/tactics before the first batch of independent study presentations from @AmyMerricks @BarryLewtas @Dawesie10 @mjulesy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️��