The considerable challenge facing Asia’s coaching elite

Ange Postecoglou

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is home to a litany of successful, transformative and triumphant coaches, many of whom have left an indelible mark on the region for years to come. However, the extensive measures put in place by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) leave these coaches facing a monumental effort in their attempt to progress their career – coaching amongst the elite of European club football.

The documented challenges faced by Socceroos Asian Cup winning coach Ange Postecoglou in taking on the managerial role at Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC is a significant example recently. Postecoglou’s Australian Pro coaching license – which is the highest level of coaching qualification in Asia – was not recognised as an equivalent to UEFA’s Pro coaching licence, a requirement for coaches in the continent.

In Postecoglou’s case, the appointed Celtic Head Coach was recognised by the UEFA Coaching Convention for his prior experience and success and pro diploma in the AFC, with the clutch that he had to undergo a Recognition of Confidence procedure to determine his aptitude. Following this UEFA convention process he received a ‘certificate of competency’ that now allows him to coach Celtic parallel to completing his UEFA Pro licence.

Ange coaching

Such a process is no doubt unnecessarily extensive, particularly for a coach of Postecoglou’s calibre. Moreover, it is an even greater toil of a process for AFC coaches who lack Postecoglou’s years of experience. As even though an AFC Pro Diploma relates to the UEFA A License, it is not the UEFA equivalent.

FIFA’s efforts to establish a cross-confederation recognition of coaching licences have gained little traction within the UEFA confederation to date.

Coaches with non-UEFA credentials are forced to undergo a process whereby they are assessed by a bureau of the Jira Panel – the body responsible for the developing and fostering of coaching and coach education across Europe – on a case-by-case basis and on request. There is no official agreement between UEFA and other confederations regarding the mutual recognition of coaching qualifications.

An initiative led by Head of Football Education Services at UEFA, Frank K. Ludolph in October 2019, represents the most recent effort to amend the UEFA Coaching Convention in support of non-UEFA coaches seeking recognition of their respective confederation’s pro licence by UEFA.

Among other recommendations, the initiative suggested that for recognition of non-UEFA coaching qualifications to be considered, the coach would need to have at least five years’ experience coaching a team of the club or the national team of a FIFA member association at the relevant training level and the relevant coaching qualification which meets UEFA’s minimum criteria.

“The procedure determines whether these competences are ‘recognised’. This means coaches will need to compile supporting documents for the procedure, go through the assessment and convince the assessors (expert panel) that they possess the required competences,” Ludolph stated in his letter address to the Jira Panel.

“If the assessment is successful, the coach will receive an official UEFA Recognition of Competence certificate, not a UEFA diploma/licence. This certificate will be valid for three years and will be renewed if the coach in question completes 15 hours of further education with a UEFA member association in that time, in accordance with the further education requirements applicable to UEFA licence holders. Recognitions of competence will remain transferable between UEFA member associations that are parties to the UEFA Coaching Convention.”

Postecoglou and many Australian coaches – including Bristol City’s Tanya Oxtoby and the recently announced Juventus coach Joe Montemurro – befit the aforementioned recommendations, however change has been a slow and laborious process with little eventuating from these recommendations.

Tanya Oxtoby Bristol City

The challenging circumstances that Australian coaches have found themselves in overseas have been well-documented, but it is often out of a sheer desire to make the step up that leaves coaches trapped in complicated and indefinite contracts.

Speaking at a Football Coaches Australia (FCA) webinar last year were international lawyers Josep Vandellos and Susanah Ng and Australian lawyer Peter Paleogolos. Their inclusion in the webinar was essential in shedding light on the at times vague and difficult contract situations faced by coaches overseas.

FCA CEO Glenn Warry, who facilitated the webinar, said that the following key issues emanated from the experts’ presentations that focused on how a coach’s role can be defined within their coaching contract overseas according to their qualifications.

“Ensure your role as coach and other appointments such as football director and head of football are clearly defined in the contract,” he said.

“Only football coaches and clubs will have the standing to stay in proceedings before the FIFA legal bodies. Therefore, it is crucial that the designation of a ‘coach’ is included on the Contract (and that the job scope at the very least refers to some coaching duties) if the coach is to be appointed in a dual role.

“The object of contract represents the work that the coach engages to render in favour of the club. It is important to make sure the job for which the coach is recruited is accurately defined as: Head Coach, Assistant Coach or Goalkeeper Coach.”

The struggles experienced by Australian and Asian coaches in attempting to progress their career are inherently stifled by guidelines that appear to act as a preventative, rather than as a method to ‘upskill’ coaches who would no doubt be capable of matching it against the very best if given the role. Warry elaborated further by stating: “Australian coaches who wish to coach in Europe should carefully plan their professional development and coach education pathway. For Australian players who play in Europe, or coaches with dual nationality, the UEFA Coach Accreditation pathway may be more appropriate.

Montemurro Coaching

The appointment of Postecoglou and Montemurro to the Celtic and Juventus roles respectively is pivotal for not just the recognition of Australian coaches, but coaching professionals right across the AFC. And, dependant on the success that comes Montemurro’s and Postecoglou’s way, it may be the instigator of change that the region is crying out for.

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Beau Busch to become Chief Executive of PFA until 2029

Busch PFA

Last week, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) announced the appointment of Beau Busch as the organisation’s new Chief Executive for a four-year period until 2029.

Busch is an experienced presence within the PFA, having joined the players’ rights and wellbeing organisation back in 2013. Since then, he has held a number of key roles, including Co-Chief Executive, Head of Player Relations and Development, and Media and Communications Manager, in addition to being appointed FIFPRO Asia/Oceania President in 2024.

Across these positions, Busch has worked to protect players’ welfare and rights, as well as push standards across the A-Leagues and National Teams.

PFA Chair Francis Awaritefe explained how Busch would deliver much needed stability in his new role during times of uncertainty for the sport in Australia.

“The professional game has reached an important juncture, with critical industrial and commercial negotiations set to occur. We have no doubt that Beau’s appointment will ensure the players can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities over the coming years,” he said in a press release.

“Beau has built incredible trust with the PFA membership, and this will be invaluable as the players seek to shape the future of the game.”

PFA Co-President Tameka Yallop described why Busch would be a valuable fit for the role.

“Beau’s passion for the game, integrity, and proven leadership make him the ideal leader to guide the PFA into its next chapter,” she said via press release.

“The players are committed to ensuring we build an industry that we can all be incredibly proud of and we know that under Beau’s leadership the PFA will continue to a be a values-led organisation.”

In a statement, Busch expressed his joy at being selected for the position by the plays.

“It is an honour to represent our members and to work alongside an outstanding Executive, Delegates and staff team,” he said.

“This generation of players have an opportunity to drive the success of the professional game and to leave a lasting legacy for the players that follow them.”

Together, Busch and the PFA will continue to protect players’ rights and uphold the standards of the game across Australia.

AC Milan Camps: New Football Opportunities in Central Europe

Milan Camps

AC Milan has announced a partnership with Moderní fotbal s.r.o to launch two new Milan Junior Camps in Central Europe.

Through the partnership, Milan and Moderní fotbal s.r.o will deliver world class training camps in Prague, Czech Republic (14 -18 July) and Rovinka, Slovakia (21-25 July).

The camps will allow the Rossoneri to deliver its unique style of youth development and training to a new crop of young players in an often-overshadowed region of Europe to player aged 5-17.

By partnering with Moderní fotbal s.r.o, a Czech sports management, youth football coaching and adult education company with over 13 years of experience, AC Milan will be able to rely upon a successful local business as it ventures into new markets.

Crucially, Moderní fotbal will aid Milan as it seeks to build new relationships with clubs and footballing communities across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while also providing technical and educational workshops to tomorrow’s stars.

These educational workshops will teach players of the importance of physical and mental wellbeing, as well as imprint AC Milan’s values-based philosophy.

Honorary Vice President of AC Milan Franco Baresi expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and the club’s camps.

“The launch of these new Milan Junior Camps marks a significant step in bringing AC Milan’s legacy and spirit to football fans and communities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia,” he said in a press release.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Moderní fotbal s.r.o., a company that shares our values of innovation, passion, and determination, making them the perfect partner to help us inspire future generations in this area.”

Likewise, Managing Partner at Moderní fotbal Lenka Hrabovská highlighted the shared beliefs Moderní fotbal and AC Milan have.

“This collaboration between Moderní fotbal and AC Milan is a unique opportunity to connect innovation, tradition, and passion — the core pillars of football,” she said in a statement.

“We believe this partnership will create exciting new experiences for our customers, fans, and the wider community across the Czech Republic and Slovakia.”

Through the deal, AC Milan will work to guide the next generation of players in new camps, whilst also expanding the club’s image and brand in an overshadowed market.

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