u21 Head Coach

The U21 Head Coach plays a pivotal role in delivering the Academy's player development strategy, creating a high performance environment that prepares young players for the demands of professional football. Responsible for leading the U21 programme, the role focuses on maximising the development and progression of players, supporting their transition into the senior game, and ensuring alignment between the Academy and First Team. Working collaboratively across departments, the postholder will contribute to the continuous evolution of the Academy's technical and performance programmes, helping to create a seamless pathway for emerging talent.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of the responsibilities of the role: 
 
Coaching

• Establish and continually refine the Season Plan for the u21 age group, shaping the player development programme in line with individual player and group needs. 
• Lead coaching sessions across the u21 age group which align and integrate Season Plan commitments & players Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) to wider Academy and Club approaches and Values.
• Create and sustain an elite learning environment that appropriately balances challenge and support, empowering players to take ownership of their development and become independent decision-makers.
• Manage the u21 Games Programme in line with the Season Plan to ensure teams and players compete and develop appropriately through these experiences. 
• Ensure all training and match experiences are purposefully designed to accelerate individual player development whilst maintaining alignment with the Academy Performance Plan and Club playing philosophy.
• Lead weekly u21 Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings to shape and guide player development while ensuring the highest quality operations and organisation of resource. 
• Integrate and connect the u21 group to both the u18 and First Team programmes. 
• Maintain close alignment with First Team staff to ensure shared coaching language, tactical principles, behavioural expectations and physical demands that facilitate seamless player transition.
• Support the u21 MDT (including u21 Assistant Coach) to integrate player development across disciplines. 
• Plan, upload/record and reflect systematically on all coaching activity within the u21 age group. 
• Support the delivery of u16 & u18 training and games programme to share ideas and approaches across the department, contribute to effective succession planning, and cover coaching colleagues as required.
• Continually evaluate and innovate coaching practice by integrating current research, emerging methodologies and reflective practice to enhance player and programme development.

 
Player & Programme Management 

• Develop and sustain frequent, consistent and supportive communication with all players, and where appropriate their families and other stakeholders, to support transitions into Professional Football. 
• Oversee the implementation of the Academy Code of Expectations for all u21s players and staff.
• Oversee the implementation of all Club policies that relate to the U21s programme. 
• Lead all u21 player reviews, iteratively contributing to an on-going, continuous process of support for the u21 age group. 
• Drive individual player acceleration through bespoke development planning, ensuring each player is appropriately challenged and supported in pursuit of First Team and professional football opportunities.
• Manage the completion of ILPs for all u21 players in collaboration with other disciplines and stakeholders. 
• Coordinate multidisciplinary contributions to ensure each player's development programme is integrated, evidence-informed and aligned to individual needs.
• Manage on-going reflection processes (of players and staff) in a way that contributes to on-going learning and development. 
• Work with the Talent Identification and Recruitment team to provide suitable feedback to any players that trial with the u21s. 
• Be an available point of contact for First Team colleagues, ensuring there is appropriate and regular connections on u21 players and the u21 programme. 
• Provide informed recommendations regarding player progression, First Team integration, external loan opportunities and succession planning through regular collaboration with Academy and First Team staff.
• Player a key role in the Succession Planning processes within the Academy to support the Club to retain individuals who have First Team potential.
• Foster an elite performance culture that promotes accountability, professionalism, resilience and behaviours consistent with the Club's Values and Code of Expectations.
• Attendance at First Team games as required.

 
Insights (in collaboration with the Insights department)

• Align video to team and individual commitments, supporting team and individual player development over time. 
• Manage all reporting systems to ensure accurate information is captured in relation to player performance. 
• Ensure all players are provided with regular access to their personal performance data highlighting key metrics in line with the Academy Technical Plan. 
• Utilise objective performance data, video analysis and observational insights to evaluate programme effectiveness, inform coaching interventions and support evidence-based decision making.
• Support the development and integration of Insights staff within the u21 MDT. 

 
Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, support and positively influence the wider Academy coaching team through collaboration, mentoring and the sharing of best practice across the Professional Development Phase.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with all Academy departments to ensure a connected, player-centred and high-performing multidisciplinary environment.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Academy Technical Plan by identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation across the programme.
• Act as an ambassador for Fulham Football Club, consistently demonstrating the Club's Values of being Pioneers, Confident Custodians, Action Orientated, Open & Inclusive and committed to Service Excellence.

The u21 Head Coach must: 

Experience
•  Experience working with Professional Development Phase (u18-u21) aged players. 
•  Experience of successfully holding a leadership role or position within a Club or organisation. 
•  Experience of successfully supporting the development of people

Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications
•  To hold appropriate and up to date qualifications to conform to PL Academy Licence requirements. 
•  UEFA A License (FA Level 4 qualification). 
•  FA Advanced Youth Award (FA Level 4 qualification). 
•  Broad awareness of the football industry and governing policies. 
•  An understanding of player development principles or applied knowledge from across other sports, countries and/or clubs

Personal Qualities
•  To ensure the highest levels of professionalism in organisation, delivery and conduct. 
•  To demonstrate an engaging personality that naturally supports the learning and education of players and staff. 
•  To demonstrate growth mindset. 
•  To be Player or Person-Centred in the approach to development. 
•  To show diligence towards all aspects of the role. 
•  To have an outstanding work ethic. 
•  To actively demonstrate humility and vulnerability within the working environment.

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