Senior Professional Development Phase Coach (Under 21 Head Coach)

1. Job purpose: Head Coach of the Under-21 team within the Professional Development Phase
(PDP), delivering the Club’s technical programme (coaching phases, blocks, and
position-specific profiles) so every player progresses toward first-team football in
line with our playing style and long-term strategy. This role is pivotal in creating a
supportive and challenging environment where young players can thrive, both on
and off the pitch, aligning with the academy’s commitment to excellence and the
elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). The coach will play a crucial role in shaping the
future of the players, fostering a love for the game, and instilling our club motto of
‘By Skill &Hard Work’.

2. Duties and responsibilities:
Coaching & Player Development (EPPP-Aligned)
• Plan, design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality sessions (individual, unit, team)
that reflect the Academy philosophy and position-specific requirements across
PDP age groups.
• Set and uphold exacting standards of discipline, professionalism, and detail on
and off the pitch while creating an inclusive, positive, and challenging learning
environment.
• Lead IDP/IDT processes in line with EPPP: schedule meetings, set goals, track
progress, and provide regular feedback using approved software and
performance data.
• Own all game-preparation and review workflows: opposition analysis, game
plans, pre-training video previews, post-training reviews, and post-match
debriefs—cementing learning in line with Club style and principles.
• Oversee performance analysis for individuals/units/team and deliver clear,
timely feedback to players and staff.
Collaboration, Transition & Operations
• Lead the U21 team in the Professional Development League; manage day-today operations, weekly schedules, and the U21 coaching curriculum to
consistent standards.
• Work collaboratively within the MDT (coaching, analysis, S&C, medical,
psychology, nutrition) to deliver an integrated, player-centred programme;
communicate insights regularly to Academy and First-Team staff.
• Coordinate closely with the U18 Head Coach and the First-Team
Transition/Player Development Coach to ensure seamless movement between 

U21s and the First Team; manage the transition of Academy players to senior
football.
• Align with First-Team staff, Head of Academy, and Head of Coaching on
content, loan strategy, and return-to-train plans; attend loan fixtures and
report as required.
• Produce and maintain session plans, reports, and reviews to EPPP standards;
monitor and evaluate development across the U21 squad, attending IDP
meetings and providing evidence-based feedback.

3. Skills required: Coaching & Player Development Expertise
• Player-first, development-centred mindset: prioritises growth over short-term
results; builds processes that mature young players for first-team football.
• Mastery of position-specific profiles and club playing style; translates principles
into clear individual, unit, and team objectives.
• Strong grasp of integrating technical–tactical, physical, and psych-social loads
across the PDP.
• Sets SMART goals, leads IDPs, and continuously monitors/evaluates
performance with evidence-based feedback.
• Upholds elite standards of discipline, confidentiality, and professionalism on and
off the pitch.
Performance Analysis, Communication & Presentation
• Produces clear, impactful presentations for players and staff using
PowerPoint/Keynote (match plans, learning reviews, player reports).
• Competent in clipping, coding, and tagging training and matches with industrystandard analysis software to create best-practice tactical clip packages.
• Executes complete review workflows: pre-training video previews, post-training
reflections, opposition and self-analysis, and post-match debriefs aligned to the
Club philosophy and EPPP expectations.
• Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, and delivery to varied
audiences; able to make complex ideas simple, actionable, and engaging.
Leadership, Organisation & Collaboration
• Dynamic, hardworking, enthusiastic leader who motivates and inspires others
while modelling integrity, honesty, and empathy.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills; comfortable working under
pressure.
• Self-aware, reflective, and receptive to feedback; actively pursues continuous
improvement.
• Effective team player within a multi-disciplinary environment (coaches, analysis,
S&C, medical, psychology, nutrition) and capable of working independently
when required.

• Proficient with Microsoft, Apple (especially Excel for tracking/analysis and
PowerPoint for delivery); data-literate and comfortable using digital tools to
inform decisions.

4. Knowledge / Experience required:
Must have: proven management experience at First-Team level and a clear
understanding of First-Team coaching & player demands (training intensity, match
cadence, media/schedule pressures, selection standards) to prepare U21 players for
seamless transition.
Coaching & Player Development Expertise
• Development-centred approach: prioritises player growth over results;
coach the clear IDPs aligned to club standards.
• Proven record developing & working with young professional players for
seamless first-team transition; experience working daily with full-time pros
in elite environments.
• Deep knowledge of Academy & 1st Team structures and pathways.
• Strong command of the game’s key elements—technical detail, tactical
principles, and team systems—and the ability to translate them onto the
pitch with fine, position-specific detail.
• Robust understanding of weekly periodisation to integrate technical–
tactical, physical, and psycho-social loads across the PDP.
• Applies sports psychology principles to optimise learning, resilience,
confidence and coach–player interactions.
Performance Analysis, Communication & Presentation
• Creates high-impact player/staff presentations in PowerPoint/Keynote
(game plans, reviews, development updates).
• Competent in clipping/coding training and matches with industry-standard
analysis software; builds best-practice tactical clip libraries to reinforce
learning.
• Leads full review workflows: pre-training previews, post-training reflections,
opposition/self-analysis, and post-match debriefs, all aligned to Club
philosophy and EPPP requirements.
• Clear, concise communicator (written and verbal) able to engage players,
parents, and staff; simplifies complex concepts into actionable tasks.
Leadership, Organisation & Collaboration
• Dynamic, enthusiastic leader who motivates and inspires; manages
individuals and departments with integrity, honesty and empathy.
• Exceptional organisation and time management; delivers to tight deadlines
and maintains confidentiality and professional standards.
• Sets SMART goals in line with player development plans; monitors and
evaluates performance using data and approved platforms; receptive to
feedback and reflective practice.
• Collaborative within a multi-disciplinary team (coaching, analysis, S&C,
medical, psychology, nutrition) and effective working independently.
• High proficiency with key software needed for analysis, session design and
reporting (especially Keynote/ PowerPoint for delivery); digitally literate and
comfortable leveraging data to inform decisions.

5. Qualifications required:
• UEFA Pro Licence (preferred/actively working towards) in addition to the
minimum below.
• Minimum UEFA A Licence.
• FA Youth Modules 1, 2, 3 (working towards or recognised equivalents).
• Advanced Youth Award (desirable/working towards).
• Recognised management/leadership qualification.
• FA Safeguarding Children (in date).
• FA First Aid (in date).
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

DBS check required: Yes (Enhanced)