Coaches take part in this year’s UEFA Pro Licence at Wokefield Park.
Household football names rubbed shoulders with up and coming English coaches at The FA’s UEFA Pro Licence coaching course in Reading last week.
The likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Gianfranco Zola and Brian McDermott all returned to Wokefield Park to graduate while this year’s intake included newly promoted Stevenage boss Graham Westley, ex-Spurs and England defender Gary Stevens, Mark Venus of Middlesbrough and Burton Albion defender Darren Moore.
England U19s Head Coach
Noel Blake was part of The FA’s assessing team, which also included England U20s counterpart,
Brian Eastick and The FA’s Elite Coaching Manager Dick Bate.
“We’ve had people through this course over the years that have been excellent players but coaching is a totally different profession,” explained Blake.
“The Pro Licence really does prepare you for that next phase of your coaching career. It’s not just about coaching on the pitch, the course also includes the management of players and the business side of the game while all candidates have to report back from a study visit that they have made.”
Practical coaching sessions on the UEFA Pro Licence include all candidates being miked up to a PA system and former Manchester United legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said it’s one of the most nerve-wracking things he’s ever done: “You take the session in front of the class using a PA system and it really does give you butterflies in the stomach.
“If you gave me the choice between taking a last minute penalty at Old Trafford or the coaching session with a microphone then I’d probably choose the penalty!” joked Solskjaer who is now the manager of table topping Molde FK in Norway.
Solskjaer, Gianfranco Zola and Brian McDermott all feature in FATV’s video from this year’s FA Pro Licence course at Wokefield Park. Watch their interviews by clicking on the video above.
