how to become a professional soccer coach

Soccer is the most popular game in the whole world. In the soccer industry, one may not make it as a player but can excel as a coach. We'll try to draw a framework for the enthusiastic individuals who want to become professional soccer coach.

For better understanding, we have split the guidelines into three steps. To start your journey, look through the steps.

Initial Steps

The journey to becoming a professional soccer coach can vary from person to person. It depends on the region one belongs from, the background one has, and many other factors. But, some initial steps are more or less the same for everyone in this journey.

1. Understanding the game of soccer

To make a career as a soccer coach one has to understand every move of the game. It is not necessary to be a professional player to opt out of the career as a coach but one must have some playing experience. Many professional coaches did not play in advance matches.

But, one thing that leads the career is the knowledge of the basics of the game. You can read the rules of procedure from the official rulebook and formats of different leagues. Someone who played up to mid-level soccer might be in an advantageous position when it comes to understanding the game.

2. Prior education on soccer

If you are passionate about the game and your career as a coach, educate yourself in every means available to you. Learn about the history of soccer and the famous matches. Research about the expedition of successful players and coaches.

Sign up for online courses, workshops, or training conferences to learn more about the game and the industry as well. The prior education phase will open up your door for choosing the right coaching path. You'll have different ways to launch your career but only with prior education, you can make an informed and wiser decision.

3. Gather experience

An important part of your plan to become a professional soccer coach is gathering experience both as a player and a coach. Try to sign up for a volunteering coach position in local matches. One can initiate by assisting the coach of the school team.

To understand the core values of coaching one can even coach an informal team set up by friends. Coaching experience can help you to arrange the team for practice and to handle the differences in team members. You'll have a closer look at how managers change their training tactics for kids and mature players.

4. Watch the game

You can learn the most from observing a soccer game. Watch as many matches as you can to grow a sharp eye. Try to watch matches of all levels because this will enable you to differentiate among the game plans.

To become a professional coach, you must grow the ability to study the way other coaches making a decision. While many of the responsibilities of a coach take place outside the game, question the decisions of the coach taken during the game.

Pay attention to how the coach delegates the role, control the game and enact strategies. The art of making a decision with prudence will come from witnessing more and more soccer matches.

5. Look for a mentor

A mentor can be anyone who has walked down the same path you are aiming to walk. It is not necessary to have a mentor who's accomplished and successful in his career. Rather people who can guide you about do's and don'ts can save you from making mistakes.

Surely, you'll make your own mistakes, but with a role model, it gets a lot easier. It can be anyone your school's sports teacher or your trainer, to whom you can go before making important decisions regarding your career as a coach.

professional soccer coach — Photo credit- The Coaching Manual Blog

Certification

1. Get academic degree

After gathering experience and prior knowledge, search for certification. You might have participated in different training and workshop but you need to look for a course for getting a certificate. Without a certificate, you won't be able to work professionally in this field.

Look around you at the institutions giving certificates and get yourself admitted in those courses. Keep the matter of funding in your mind. Usually, at this stage, everything you'll be doing will be self-funded.

Before getting enrolled in a course, check if the institution has delegated power to give a certificate from National Soccer Association. Contact your local soccer association for the requirements, duration, and structure of the courses.

2. Sports management or sports science

One can get confused between sports management and sports science. A common question often asked is which one to choose for becoming a professional coach. Sports management is more focused on the business aspects of the game and a good choice if you want to become a team manager.

Sports science has more focus on coaching and training. If you aim to coach in the amateur league you will not need too much qualification. Depending on the level you want to coach, you can also enroll in Tafe like courses. These are short diploma courses which will give you qualifications for personal training.

3. Learn the process of certification in your region

The process of certification and licensing is not the same for all the region. For example in the US one can't coach U18s without having younger age groups. The process of licensing is also different for each region.

4. Prepare for the application

Always be prepared for what's coming next. Start making a portfolio from the time you are gathering experience as a volunteer coach. Document every workshop, training, and any educative events you have attended.

Contact individuals, clubs through e-mails and drop your portfolio. During this time you'll get a lot of rejection. Even if you have the experience, the degree you may not get your desired position. But with resilience and perseverance, you will become a professional soccer coach sooner or later.

5. UEFA coaching licenses

There is 5 category of UEFA license. They are Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 or UEFA B license, UEFA A license, and UEFA pro. If you are already working with the national soccer association, then you can opt for UEFA A license.

It is mandatory for all league coaches and can be done in 2 years. For managing teams in a top league or to become a head coach one has to obtain a UEFA pro license.

Tips from experts

Apart from the above-mentioned steps, one will require many additional things to do for becoming a successful professional soccer coach.

1. Focus on building a network

While you are attending workshops, training you'll meet new people already involved in this field. Try to maintain communication with them and build a network of your own.

If you ever need a recommendation you can knock these people which will be a lot of help. The network will enable you to have more opportunities in your way.

2. Learn a second language

We often neglect the importance of learning a second language. It is a good investment because for communication language is often a barrier.

If you know how to speak a certain language, you are already advanced in the competitive market of that region. Knowing how to speak a second language will always carry an extra point for you.

3. Develop soft skills

To have proficiency over soft skills is very important for every field. Leadership quality, following chain of commands, communication skills can take you to places you can never think of.

Apart from having great training skills one must have transversal skills. These skills are not something one can develop overnight. Practicing these on regular basis can make you a strong candidate for your desired post.

4. Self-promotion

We often think self-promotion is a bad idea or makes one look overconfident. But self-promotion is important and one must learn the techniques of doing it. If you are not promoting yourself as a coach, no one else will do it for you. On different digital platforms try to engage yourself as a coach or an aspiring coach.

5. Seek training

To develop your career as a professional coach seeks training as much as possible. Learn the different tactics of training and modern coaching methodologies. Alongside training gain knowledge about nutrition in soccer. It'll help you to manage the team in a better way.

6. Compare the market and salaries at different tiers

Money is a crucial factor even if you are doing your dream job. You can investigate preferred markets for having a more successful career. Gain knowledge about coach salaries at different tiers to make a good deal.

Conclusion

It is never too late to pursue your dreams. The road will not be smooth but if you have the passion you can become a professional soccer coach. Believe in yourself and get started.

You may also like to read: How to Become a Professional Soccer Player?