Qualification Pyramid
Coaching Qualifications
Those governing professional football have introduced mandatory coaching qualifications for key management and coaching positions, and players will need to plan ahead if they want their transition from player to coach to be a smooth one. The table below outlines the award structure, and indicates the time needed to complete. Players should remember that gaining qualifications while still playing can be challenging, but is certainly possible.
The UEFA Pyramid:
- Level 5, UEFA Pro Licence (focus on how to manage)
A mandatory qualification for managing in the FA Premier League and UEFA competitions.
Invitation only, most candidates complete in 12 months
- Level 4, UEFA A Licence (focus on phases of play, 9v9 games and 11v11 match play)
Work as a manager/coach in the professional game, or Academy Manager.
Most candidates complete within 2 years.
- Level 3, UEFA B Licence (focus on functions, phases of play and 8v8 games)
Find work in Centres of Excellence and Academies
You have 2 years, but can usually be completed in 12-18 months
- Level 2, Certificate in Coaching Football (focus on techniques, skills and 4v4 games)
Find work in Football in the Community, local authorities, US soccer camps.
You have 2 years to complete, but it can be achieved in 6 months. You must start here.
- Level 1
Useful for local community work, and can be completed in a few weeks. Not a mandatory qualification, but a gentle introduction. We do not run Level 1 courses.
Regardless of who you are, and what your background is, all potential coaches working with the PFA Coaching Department must start with the Level 2 award. The Level 1 award is not mandatory (although it may prove useful in some circumstances to some coaches new to the profession: as a department we do not run Level 1 awards). There is no access to our UEFA B awards without having completed the Level 2.
The Level 2 award is an excellent introductory qualification which combines classroom sessions with practical football coaching. Those wishing to attend this course will need to find a football team to work with in order to practice their coaching and log coaching hours. The practical aspects of the Level 2 include technique, skill and 4v4 small-sided games. All those joining this course will receive workshops on Child Protection and Emergency Aid, as well as completing a basic Laws of the Game module.
The UEFA B award carries on from the Level 2, and looks on the practical side at functional practices, small-sided games (8v8) and phases of play (attack against defence). The classroom elements look in more depth at sports psychology, periodisation of training and fitness, amongst others.
