UEFA Pro Licence

The UEFA Pro Licence is a football coaching licence from UEFA (the governing body of association football in Europe). The UEFA Pro Licence is the final qualification and follows the completion of the UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2005/12/05/sfnkmo05.xml]

A UEFA Pro Licence is required by anyone who wishes to manage a football club in the top level of the nation's league system on a permanent basis (i.e. more than 12 weeks - the amount of time an unqualified caretaker manager is allowed to take control). This applies to both the head coach or team manager, and such a licence is also required to manage in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Cup.

All current managers were set a deadline of 2010 to acquire the licence or face losing their post.Fact|date=September 2008

Course

The course contains workshops involving topics from fitness to injury prevention and player agents to transfer protocols. There are three levels of progression, with each focusing on more in-depth detail. After each section applicants must take a written exam from a number of topics and successfully conduct a supervised training session.

Managerial heavyweights such as Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello have lent their experience to course students over the years.

In spring 2006, Glenn Roeder was appointed caretaker manager of Newcastle United. After a significant improvement in results, and an accepted request for an extension of the maximum 6 week period (as Roeder did not have the licence), an exemplary request was granted to approve him as full time manager under the condition he would aim for the licence at the next available course starting in the summer of 2006. Roeder had previously been forced to abandon a pro licence course half way through due to a brain tumor.

Although The Football Association has granted a few extensions, all current managers have until 2010. It was introduced following agreement between the Premier League, Professional Footballers Association and League Managers Association in 2000 to bring England into line with UEFA regulations.

In 2003, the Premiership chairmen agreed to making the qualification a mandatory requirement to manage at the top level in England.

Qualification

Following an induction period, those wishing to qualify for the Pro-Licence need to undergo a year-long course which involves around 240 hours of study combining a mixture of distance learning, online learning and conference calls. Once this has been successfully completed there is a residential study week at University of Warwick.

Other managerial qualifications

The UEFA Pro Licence is the final qualification and follows the completion of the UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences.

In 2003, an FA Coaching Diploma was awarded to all coaches who had at least 10 years experience of being a manager or head coach or who had attended that summer's Diploma Course.

Challenges to regulations

In 2006, Newcastle United was granted a two-week extension to the 12-week restriction to allow Glenn Roeder to continue as their caretaker manager until the end of the season despite him not holding a Pro Licence. He had enrolled in 2003 but, due to ill health, had to drop out without completing the course. In early May 2006 Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle United chairman made it clear that, after a successful run as caretaker, the Newcastle board wanted to appoint Roeder as their full-time permanent manager. Shepherd asked the F.A. Premiership if they would waive their rule and the two-week extension could be continued for a further season, during which time Roeder would complete the Pro Licence. The F.A. stated that this would have to be put to a vote of all the Premiership clubs. On May 11th 2006 Newcastle announce that the other Premiership clubs were in agreement and that they would be introducing Roeder as their new manager the following week. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4770157.stm BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Roeder named as Newcastle manager ] ]

In June 2006, Middlesbrough F.C. appointed Gareth Southgate to be their new manager despite his lack of a UEFA Pro Licence. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/5052126.stm BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Southgate appointed as Boro boss ] ] The club, and Southgate, said that he has been unable to gain the qualification in previous summers due to involvement with England and was hampered, in 2006, by Middlesbrough's success in getting to the final of the UEFA Cup. They also quote the Newcastle/Glenn Roeder situation as having set a precedent though Southgate made it clear he will study for the qualification as soon as possible. In November 2006, he was given special dispensation to remain in charge of Middlesbrough until the end of the season. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/6110858.stm BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Southgate wins coaching reprieve ] ]

In September 2007, Chelsea F.C. appointed Avram Grant as manager. His previous role was Director of Football at the club. Grant did not hold the UEFA Pro Licence required by the Premier League to manage a club in England or by UEFA to manage a club participating in European competitions.

In June 2008, Blackburn Rovers F.C. appointed Paul Ince as manager, with UEFA allowing him to take the role despite having gained neither the UEFA Pro Licence not the lesser UEFA B Licence, but "giving him two years' grace to earn the necessary qualifications". [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/blackburn/article4193471.ece]

See also

* List of managers and coaches who have qualified for the UEFA Pro Licence

References

External links

* [http://www.uefa.com UEFA website]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6189330.stm What is a Uefa Pro Licence?]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2005/12/05/sfnkmo05.xml How does the coaching badge system work?]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6189330.stm What is a Uefa Pro Licence?]
* [http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/12/14/uefa_licences_has_anyone_actua.html Uefa licences - has anyone actually failed the exam?]
* [http://www.elitesoccercoach.com Other International Coaching Licences & Training]