When the 21 candidates currently studying for the UEFA Pro Licence conclude their 18 month-long study this week one of the areas they will have been assessed on is their ability to deal with adverse and difficult situations.
It is an emotive subject for the group with many of the candidates experiencing changes in job since they began the prestigious course last January. After all, few in football are afforded perfect timing for a job change.
Graham Kavanagh and Micky Mellon have taken new jobs with Carlisle and Shrewsbury respectively. On the flip-side Paul Ince, Chris Powell and Alex Dyer have found themselves out of work. One of the candidates can even talk about what it was like to be the Manchester United manager, albeit only for four games.
John Peacock, England U17s coach and course director, explained that such experiences come with the territory of top-level management and have prompted key discussions on the course which is mandatory for elite managers and coaches competing in Premier League and European competition.
“Unfortunately it is part of the precarious profession they are in. It is extremely difficult when this happens but the group tends to rally around and help and support where they can. In many respects it brings home many of the key aspects that the course follows,” explained Peacock.
John Peacock speaks to Pro Licence course delegates
The Pro Licence course content includes modules on professional communication, leadership, management of self and others as well as performance management and business and finance.
Peacock explains that the challenge of changing employment circumstance is used positively on the course which concludes at St. George’s Park this week.
“We reflect on the positives and look at ways to make things more successful the next time they get the opportunity. These people are involved and have been for many years in the 'winning business' and cope extremely well in adverse and difficult situations. This is one of key competencies areas on the course.”
Another key area of preparation is dealing with the multitude of off-field matters that the role of the modern manager entails, something Peacock believes can be challenging for those more comfortable on the pitch.
“The time spent on the grass with the players is more often than not the most rewarding and sometimes easier part of professional management.
“It is life away from the pitch where a lot of attention is paid on this course and ultimately how you communicate with all the various stakeholders to become more effective.”
The course has had no shortage of input from those well versed in top level success. The group have spoken with England Rugby World Cup winner, Sir Clive Woodward, and gained industry insight from Real Madrid pair Carlo Ancelotti and Paul Clement. Paul Lambert, Steve McClaren and Malky Mackay have also passed on their managerial lessons.
This week former Australian cricket coach, John Buchanan, and Panathinaikos’s English first-team coach and former FA Coach Education manager, Steve Rutter, joined the string of experts who have contributed to the education of the next generation of management talent.
The variety of candidates and speakers and the diverse nature of experiences have pleased Peacock.
“This diversity helps when we ask them to share their experiences within the group work, as well as obviously getting experienced presenters in from inside and outside football. The quality and the buy in from all concerned throughout the 18 months has been very rewarding and enlightening.”
As the course enters the last few days candidates will deliver presentations on World Cup training and game strategies as well as sharing their findings from individual study visits conducted with other sports and business.
Gathering alternative perspectives from different companies and organisations both large and small is an approach Peacock believes highlights the variety and depth of the course content.
“The course of study is very comprehensive and focuses on all aspects of the job in the hot seat. It obviously hasn’t got all the answers but it prepares them to make decisions based on sound judgement and to hopefully reflect on why they came to these various decisions.”
“We have some very good managers and coaches here and I wish them all the best going forward in their careers.”UEFA Pro Licence candidates: Richard Barker, Keith Bertschin, Wayne Burnett, Keith Downing, Alex Dyer, Lois Fidler, Ryan Giggs, Stephane Henchoz, Paul Ince, Nathan Jones, Graham Kavanagh, Ian Kerr, Runar Kristinsson, Mike Marsh, Nick Marshall, Micky Mellon, Dennis Mortimer, Gary Neville, Shaun North, Chris Powell, Mark Yates.
