While most coaches who achieve that award can reasonably reflect on a long journey to the Pro Licence, a process that in pure schooling can take more than four years of study, few will have traveled quite as far as New Zealand manager Ricki Herbert.

A Kiwi who played at the World Cup in 1982, Herbert is familiar to British shores following his spell as a player at Wolverhampton Wanderers and chose England as the destination to earn his coaching qualifications.

Having completed the Pro Licence this week Herbert has traveled over 100,000 miles for the qualification - and says it is worth every inch of the distance.

Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Herbert said: "From a personal point of view I have invested a lot of miles to be at the forefront of football, because I feel it is hugely important.

"The world does seem a smaller place. Obviously 30-odd hours on a plane doesn't go away easily, but making contacts and speaking to people on the other end of the phone makes me feel that I am closer to the action than I would have done before."

Having played for New Zealand at their only previous appearance at a World Cup, Herbert is determined to be the 'pioneer' who takes them back there.

Herbert explained: "I think historically the game in New Zealand has always been seen in a particular way, the style has been seen in a certain light and if I could change people's perceptions that would make me very proud. That takes a little bit of ambition, but I'm very keen to win people over with a new brand of football.

"On the world stage and looking at our rankings, we are always going to be an underdog, but we have to have that belief and in 15 years the landscape could look completely different if we're bold enough to take that step. I feel that I am bold enough, and the reflection is in the national side and my club side and the way they play.

"Someone has got to be the pioneer, I'm a Kiwi kid and the first New Zealander to coach the national team, so I want to be that Neil Armstrong figure and put the flag in the ground.

"I would love to see a change in direction, it will take time but if I were sitting in the grandstand in 15 years time watching the result it would immensely rewarding."

Herbert was also part of Roy Keane's visit to New Zealand, where the pair saw the All-Blacks at first-hand.

"That was really great, I think with all the travelling involved for myself I floated the idea of using the All-Blacks for my study visit and wondered whether it would be possible.

"I think it was always of real interest to Roy, in terms of a sporting organisation that has always appealed to him. They are obviously one of the best in the world, and it was nice to pull it together.

"It was a week of really good contact with coaches and players, training sessions and then the game at the end of it. A lot of those people are familiar to me anyway being from New Zealand, but they took to Roy extremely well and were very positive.

"In a very humble way they made it clear they felt privileged to have him in their presence. You don't often get someone who has done we has done in the game sitting at your lunch table, sharing his footballing stories."

Although his formal education is now at an end, Herbert insists his learning is only set to continue as he seeks to remain at the forefront of the game.

"It is probably the best part of six years I have committed to attaining these licences, and that process doesn't end now that I have earned the Pro Licence.

"I am keen to learn at every opportunity to be able to improve myself all the time, and if people recognise what I am doing then that's a bonus.

"The big thing is for the development of the game in our part of the world, and I think someone working with the national team and a professional club as I am, earning the Pro Licence proves how serious the sport is in our country."