Chris Powell’s Charlton Athletic side are seven points outside of the Championship play-off places.

And the Addicks’ manager, who is taking the UEFA Pro Licence course at St.George’s Park, believes the course experience may just help close the gap. 

 “You are always looking to improve your team, yourself, and your football club as a whole, so if you get little pointers that can just push you and just elevate you and your club to a higher level, [then it’s] fantastic.

“It is those small margins that can sometimes propel you out of the division, hopefully upwards,” explained Powell, who has been in charge at The Valley since 2011.

The 43 year-old, who joined Addicks’ assistant manager Alex Dyer on the course, believes he can learn much from the experience and knowledge of the other candidates, course tutors and presenters.

“Everyone has been in situations that one or two of us haven’t experienced and then you can ask questions:  How did you deal with it? What was the outcome?

“Sometimes they may do things differently to you, but you may take that back to your club and think: ‘Right, let’s try that. Will it work with my group? Will it work with my staff?’

“Invariably you find your own way but I think it is always good to just find out what other people are doing as well.”

Powell and his fellow Pro Licence candidates return to St. George’s Park in February for the next part of their coaching education. The former England international has been pleased with the course content so far.

“I think it makes you more of a rounded manager and person. Sometimes it improves your communication with your players, with your staff and it gives you an empathy with your players.”

See the full UEFA Pro Licence video interview with Charlton Athletic manager, Chris Powell, next week on TheFA.com/SGP