What are the different coaching licenses in soccer? What's the difference between a UEFA A-License & UEFA Pro-License? Learn more on becoming a coach!

Soccer players may receive most of the glory, but their success would be limited without the leadership of a well-trained coach. A great coach can take their team from the soccer field to the history books. To become a certified soccer coach, there are several different licenses you can obtain depending on the league, such as the UEFA A or UEFA Pro licenses, for example. To earn the respect of one’s team and other teams in the league, you must work hard, be dedicated to the sport, and inspire with your leadership.

What is a coaching license?

A coaching license can allow the holder to set up, train, and manage a team within a respective league. The German Football Association (DFB) is responsible for establishing the coaching regulations of the Bundesliga in Germany.

What coaching licenses are available in soccer?

The different coaching licenses available are based on a hierarchical system, with the UEFA Pro License at the pinnacle. To obtain the top UEFA Pro license, you have to successfully obtain each of the licenses below it in the predetermined order. Starting with the lowest level, here is an overview of the most important licenses:

• Team leader: for preliminary levels, e.g., for children, youths, or goalkeepers
• “C” license: aimed at grassroots coaches to conduct performance-based training at junior levels. Training must take place within the region of certification. Minimum age requirement is 16 years.
• “B” license: coaches expand knowledge of training for performance-based juniors up to age 16. They may hold an assistant coach position within a professional club or can be head coach of a senior amateur club.
• “B+” license (since 2022): specifically for training performance-oriented youth teams. Can be obtained in combination with an A+ license. Certified by the German Football Association (DFB). Other international organizations offer similar certifications, such as the Advanced Youth Award from England Football.
• “A” license: coaches can work at an upper amateur level and in regional leagues. They are entitled to train amateur, youth, and women’s leagues (including Women’s Bundesliga leagues). Coaches with a UEFA A license may be head coaches of under-18 teams, top-flight club reserve teams, or men’s professional second-tier clubs. With this license coaches are allowed to work for pay and can teach “C” license trainings.
• Pro-License: the highest coaching certificate and a prerequisite for working in top level soccer. The UEFA Pro license focuses on developing strong team leadership skills and management strategies. 

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany and Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. - Stuart Franklin

Did you know?  
Coach licenses are valid for three years.

Extensive reform of the DFB training system

The DFB Academy, located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, fundamentally revised the courses for soccer coaches in 2022. Changes were made by adding the “B+” and “A+” licenses for coaches of youth teams and the “A” and “Pro” licenses for adult leagues. Starting in 2023, revisions were made to the “B” and “C” licenses within the German regional associations. Changes have already been made to the admission procedure, course content, and final accomplishments.

Coach training development model 

All coaching and further education courses feature a holistic approach based on the following building blocks:

• ego (coach): the development of the coach’s personality and individual competencies
• game and player: using different perspectives to understand, manage, and develop the game of soccer
• organization: fundamental understanding of the framework conditions within soccer clubs and associations
• soccer as a system: ability to communicate with different stakeholders and deal with national and international trends and benchmarks

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and star midfielder Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich. - INA FASSBENDER

Prerequisites to participate in a licensing course

In order to participate in a course, including those for the UEFA A or UEFA Pro license, there are numerous prerequisites that must be fulfilled, including:

• Proof of medical clearance
• Submission of an extended police clearance certificate
• Proof of a valid first-aid certificate
• Signing the code of honor of the governing sports association
• Proof of membership of a club and coaching experience
• A valid player passport

Successful completion of a licensing course

Individual coach development is the focus of every licensing course. Instead of examinations, potential soccer coaches now have to provide continuous proof of performance. In order to successfully complete the course, participants give a presentation on their personal development and discuss further steps with the instructors. The DFB expects this new strategy will result in the following advantages:

• Ongoing further development through regular feedback
• Accommodating innovative and individual approaches
• Evaluating authentic performances with their own team

Scope of specific soccer coach licenses

The scope of a soccer coach‘s role is limited or defined by the license they hold. For example, if you have a B-License, considered an entry-level license for competitive soccer - you may only coach the following teams:

• All men's teams up to and including the 5th division
• All women's teams except for the Women's Bundesliga and 2nd Women's Bundesliga
• All junior boy’s teams except the A- and B-Junior Bundesliga
• All junior girls' teams except for the A-Junior Girls' Bundesliga

How to become a coach in the Bundesliga

Bundesliga coaches are expected to embody very high standards. The quality of the coaching staff is considered one of the most significant factors for the sporting success of any top club. For this reason, coaching changes often attract a lot of attention in the media and among fans.

A good coach knows the strengths and weaknesses of their players in all soccer positions, organizes effective training sessions, and considers formations and substitutions to make life difficult for the opposing team on the soccer field. To be a coach in the Top 3 leagues in Germany, you must have a UEFA Pro-License.

What should a good soccer coach bring to the table?

In addition to an unwavering love for the sport and the ability to convey soccer knowledge clearly, an effective coach should display empathy and pedagogical skills. They must be able to motivate their players to perform at their best, both as individuals and as a team, even when times are tough. Self-confidence, stamina, and media skills are other critical attributes of a successful soccer coach. 

UEFA A License and UEFA Pro License: the cream of the coaching crop

The UEFA Pro-Level license is another name for the DFB's Pro license, which was known as the “Fußball-Lehrer” license until 2021. The training location is the DFB Academy in Frankfurt am Main under the current direction of Andreas Rettig. To be accepted into the course, prospective candidates must demonstrate extensive qualifications and experience and pass an elaborate entrance examination procedure. The UEFA A License is equivalent to the DFB's A License, which is the last step before the Pro-License course.

How much does a soccer coaching license cost?

The cost of a soccer coaching license can quickly amount to several thousand euros, especially for coaches in higher divisions. For a UEFA A-License course, the cost is 6,000 euros, or $6,250 USD, plus catering and other expenses. Since the reforms mentioned above, there are only 24 places available every six months, and the course itself lasts around six months. The cumulative costs to achieve a UEFA Pro-License are 19,000 euros, or $19,800 USD, before costs of accommodation, travel expenses, etc., are factored in.