MSc Football Coaching & Leadership

This module will explore personal coaching philosophies, the impact this has on coaching practice and the challenges faced in demonstrating personal values in current coaching contexts. You will examine how your personal coaching philosophies have “developed”, as well as how these are demonstrated in practice. You will also propose areas of personal and professional development, with the aim of conducting coaching practice more consistently aligned to your personal coaching philosophy.

Summary of module for applicaThis module aims to advance your tactical knowledge of football across the different formats of the game. Drawing upon different game model approaches you will explore tactical concepts such as: the moments of the game, sub-moments, principles of play, styles of play, systems of play, strategies and tactics. In addition, you will analyse the impact that your coaching domain, the players capabilities and significant others have in designing a game model.

Drawing on your own coaching knowledge and experience and aligning to your domain, you will illustrate how you would apply and implement your chosen strategies and tactics across two different moments and sub-moments of the game.

Furthermore, the module will support you in designing your own ‘game model’ of performance and examine how you would integrate tactical periodisation into the effective planning for team performance, encompassing a holistic approach to practice. Finally, you will be expected to critically explore the challenges faced in implementing a game model approach within your domain.

This module aims to address the importance of understanding domains and context specific competencies in football coaching. You will be required to evidence a comprehension of the term “competence” and what this means for a context(s) of your choice. You will also critically evaluate the core competencies required to be effective in your coaching domain(s) and methods which can be used to analyse and enhance this. Following this, you will critically analyse your own coaching practice or that of another coach to evaluate levels of coaching effectiveness and the impact had on performers. A development plan will be produced to highlight current gaps in knowledge and/ or skill and how these can be developed in order to become a more effective coach.

This module provides an opportunity to undertake an applied professional project that bridges academic learning with real-world practice in the sports industry. It is designed to enhance your professional skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities by engaging with a current issue or challenge within a sporting context.

You will take ownership of a sustained, independent project that draws on the knowledge, competencies, and experiences developed throughout your programme. Working within a live or simulated sports environment, you will apply theoretical understanding to practice, with the aim of generating meaningful insights or solutions that have direct relevance to coaching and performance, or sports business and management, marketing or media.

The module fosters experiential learning by encouraging reflection on your personal development and professional impact. Through this process, you will demonstrate leadership, initiative, and the ability to manage and deliver a project from conception to completion, all of which are highly valued by employers in the sport sector.

Your chosen project will allow you to explore an area of personal or professional interest, showcasing your ability to integrate academic knowledge with industry practice. By presenting your findings and outcomes, you will contribute to the enhancement of professional standards and demonstrate your readiness to influence and improve sporting environments.

This module explores the key components that contribute to the creation and maintenance of high-performance clubs and organisations, with a particular focus on football and team-based environments. Participants will critically examine the characteristics of high-performing environments and the strategies used to build and sustain them.

The module begins by defining what constitutes a high-performance organization and explores the aims and objectives that guide their development. Students will investigate organisational politics, leadership approaches, and strategic planning as tools to drive performance both on and off the pitch.

A significant focus is placed on organisational culture including values, beliefs, and behaviors and how culture is developed and embedded over time. The module also examines the role of talent management in nurturing both individual and collective potential within the organisation. By the end of the module, learners will understand how to design, implement, and sustain high-performance environments that achieve success in all areas of operation.

This module explores how sports organisations develop and manage effective global strategies in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. Students will analyse the macroenvironment (e.g., economic, political, and cultural forces) and the microenvironment (e.g., industry dynamics and stakeholder relationships) to understand external influences on strategic decision-making. Core topics include business and corporate strategy, focusing on how organisations position themselves competitively and manage multi-level operations. The module also examines international strategy, with an emphasis on global expansion, market entry, and adaptation. Students will explore the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in driving growth, particularly through digital disruption and emerging trends in sport. Strategic growth through mergers, acquisitions, and alliances is evaluated alongside the broader strategy development process, from formulation to execution. Finally, the module addresses how to organise and evaluate strategy, and the critical role of leadership, governance, and strategic change in ensuring long-term success in global sports organisations.

Minimum 2:2 (ideally a 2:1) or international equivalent. Relevant Degrees (Include but not limited to):

• Football Coaching
• Sport Science
• Sports Coaching
• Performance Analysis
• Talent ID and Development
• Science in Football
• Any other practical football degree (coaching or analysis)
• Teaching degree with a sports specialism
• Physical Education
• A non-relevant degree & a PGCE (or equivalent) with a sports specialism
• Joint honours can be accepted (e.g. Sports Business and Coaching) providing that the relevant subject makes up at least 50% of the degree

Experience: Experience of sports industry or business – evidenced by prior professional experience or relevancy of degree. Applicants without this but strong profile to still be considered.

English Language Requirements: English language qualifications: Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for an English qualification which tests Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and will be asked to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section) or recognised equivalent. Note that applicants from these countries who have studied to degree level in English to be accepted

Flexible Entry Requirements: Relevant Undergraduate Degree less than a 2:2 or an Undergraduate Degree in a Non-Relevant subject and….

• Minimum UEFA B Licence (Or equivalent)

And/ or

• Extensive playing experience – Professional football player

Any applicant falling outside of the above requirements has a possible route via the PG Cert