I always get this asked this one question.

"What should I do to progress my career as a football coach?"

Although every coach will have a different journey.

There are keys things to do.

Here's 8 🧵 1. Find a mentor

Find someone who is at the level you desire to be and learn from them.

Whether it's their qualifications or professional level.

They will also be able to afford you experiences which are not advertised and open unexpected doors of opportiunity.

Radical thought.

What if academy players had the flexibility to choose when they trained?

Well, that’s exactly what AIK FC have done.

And it's working.

How? 🧵 1. Delay selection

Firstly, the foundation of this approach begins by delaying the selection of players into the academy until age 13.

However, they do have UEFA A & B Licence coaches who support the 8-12 year olds attached to the club, their parents and coaches.

“I lost my identity.”

In a recent interview with ITV, that’s how Morgan Rogers described his time after signing for Manchester City.

Hearing those words from a player upsets me. 🧵 At 15, he was considered the breakout star.

• England youth international.
• Signed by the top football club in the country.
• Expected to be the next academy product to break through.

You cannot watch as a fan.

Be a student.

There’s 1000s of hours to study football games on tv.

When learning the craft of coaching.

After endless hours of watching games.

The best visual skill I learnt.

Stop watching the ball.

Here's 7 reasons why: 1. Furthest player from the ball

Watching the furthest player from the ball gives you an indication of how a team are:

1. Planning to switch play

2. Denying attacking runs

3. Being cautious for the counterattack

4. Looking how to stretch the pitch to play between the lines

I’ve spent 1000s of hours coaching academy sessions, co-coaching and hearing what players really think.

Here’s 13 truths every coach needs.

(Many struggle with No.8) 1. Plan with the end in mind How does each practice lead into the next?

It’s important to build incrementally for the players to see how the learnings from each session progresses into the successive one.

This will save time when trying to explain the next session.

"IT'S JUST A NEW FA CASH COW!"

I've seen the outrage all over social media about the FA’s new playing format.

Coaches, parents, and volunteers are calling it “madness.”

There have been 7 main reasons expressed why this is regressionand not progression.

Let’s break it down🧵 1. Not enough pitches, referees, or coaches

• The new format increases demand while the grassroots game is already stretched thin.

• More teams = more volunteers, more facilities, and more officials → who’s providing them?

"It's about TIME!"

This is what many coaches (me included) around the country will be saying about the FA's change to Youth Football in England from 26/27.

3v3 for U7s
11v11 from U14s

In case you don't have the time...here's a breakdown of what you need to know. Firstly this is huge news for grassroots youth football in England! From the 2026-27 season, "FutureFit" will transform the game for young players.

More time on the ball, more action, and better development

"Talent gets you noticed, but mindset keeps you in the game."

Truly thought-provoking time with Lee Johnson who works on the FIFA Talent Coach Programme.

Here's 10 insights for YOU to know: 🧵 1.⁠ ⁠Talent alone isn’t enough

Early perceptions of talent often focus on technical ability, but over time, it becomes clear that mindset, resilience, and determination are what truly separate those who succeed.

How is your coach delivery improving in 2025?

I've led 1000s of hours of academy coaching sessions.
Co-coached for 1000s of hours with elite coaches.

AND

Received 1000s of different feedback from academy players

What have I learnt?

Here's 11 insights which YOU can take 1. Plan with the end in mind

How does each practice lead into the next?

It’s important to build incrementally for the players to see how the learnings from each session progresses into the successive one.

This will save time when trying to explain the next session.

"At U21 level, the 1% details really matter.

Micro-adjustments in training can define results."

This is SAM CLAYTON.

He is the Womens U21 Assistant Coach & U9/U10 Academy Coach at Sunderland AFC.

Here are 8 coaching insights for YOUR journey: 1. Micro details matter

At U21 level, small adjustments in training or in-game decisions can make the difference.

Players must develop decision-making, and over-prompting as a coach can stunt their ability to problem-solve.

"If you want your players to be high-level problem solvers, stop giving them solutions.

Let them struggle, adapt, and find their own way."

This is MOHAMMAD DAJANI.

He is Football Performance Coach at Ajax 1st Team.

These 11 things he said will make YOU smarter today. 🧵 1. Keep it simple

Coaching isn’t hard if you don’t overcomplicate.

Gather knowledge but don’t overload players with too many details.

Football is about clarity—know when to guide and when to let them play freely.

"You can prep for a week, but football throws challenges that force you to think on your feet."

This is Rhys Shekle.

He is a Youth Phase Development Academy Coach at Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

Here are the 10 actions YOU need to know for your coaching 🧵 1. Engagement over everything in grassroots coaching

Grassroots is about maximising limited time with players.

It's not just about teaching; it’s creating memorable, high-energy environments where development and connection coexist.

"I've been thinking about this for a long time..."

One comment I hear from coaches wanting to work in the game regularly is..."I've been thinking about my game model for a long time."

Ok. I get it.

You want to have a clear idea as to how you would love to play football.

BUT.. ...consider this first.

When I coached in academies, here’s what I had to learn before thinking about my ‘game model’:

1. At Tottenham Hotspur Academy

Breaking down technical skills for players at the highest level of detail.

"I'll apologise to players if I feel I gave them the wrong information during a match. Accountability works both ways."

This is Ruben Ward-Lindsay.

He is the U14s Lead Coach Cambridge United FC.

Here are 8 insights for YOU to remember: 1. Pitch dimensions:

Adjusting pitch size for 11v11 games (e.g., narrower width) can enhance technical success and problem-solving, encouraging adaptability in players.

"Coaching is about elevating who they are, not imposing who you are"

This is Ross Paule.

He was an MLS All Star as a player.

Here was a FIFA Talent Coach.

Now he is the Technical Director at US Club Soccer.

Here's 10 insights you need to know for your coach development. 1.⁠ ⁠Transition mindset

Treat your coaching career like your playing career: a continuous pathway of learning and growth.

"Are we really developing players as individuals?"

Academy football talks a lot about individual development plans.

BUT...what does a good IDP look like?

Is there still a focus on team-1st approaches when it comes to games (and players get squeezed into roles)? Here's 5 things to consider with IDPs:

1. Assessment-based goals

• Use data and observations to identify strengths and areas for development.

• Is the player technically gifted? Physically behind but tactically advanced?

Dear Coach,

Your body is your most important tool.

Being a coach means...

Travelling for games.
Long hours on the pitch.
Constantly demonstrating.
Managing high-energy sessions.

And let’s face it → there’s no “work-from-home” option in coaching. Your physical health is non-negotiable.

Here's part of my routine for staying in physical health as a coach:

1. Exercise 4 times a week 🏋🏾‍♂️

Focus on strength, mobility, and injury prevention (including stretching).

2. Eat within an 8-hour window (12 PM - 8 PM) ⏰

Supports autophagy (cell repair and longevity).

"One of my biggest challenges with grassroots coaches"

Here’s something I see far too often.

Sessions that are purely reactions to the weekend’s game.

A mistake happens on Saturday, and by Tuesday, the entire session is built around correcting it.

But here’s the issue... • There’s no continuity for the players.

• It’s always correction-focused, not development-focused.

• Players are constantly chasing short-term fixes instead of long-term growth.

↓

Why is this a problem?

"Why aren’t football academies using this more?"

Bio-banding.

It’s a simple concept with massive potential

Group players by their biological maturity, not just their age.

Sounds obvious, right?

But it’s still not used widely enough.

Here’s why it could change everything. 7 reasons bio-banding matters (and the benefits)

1. Fairer competition:

• Levels the playing field by matching players with similar maturity.

• Boosts engagement and motivation as players compete on equal terms.

"Should the Foundation Phase Be Extended to U14s?"

The Foundation Phase (currently up to U11s) is where players:

Develop core skills.
Fall in love with football.
Explore their creativity and individuality.

BUT here’s the big question:

Should we extend this phase to U14s? Here's why it could work:

1. Late developers thrive.

Extending the Foundation Phase gives more time for players to grow at their own pace.

2. Focus on skills, not systems.

It prioritises technique and creativity over tactics and results.

"Is a 6-Week Trial Enough for a Child at an Academy?"

Six weeks.

That’s often all the time a child gets to prove themselves in an academy setting.

But here’s the question.

Is six weeks really enough? For many young players, especially if it’s their first trial, their academy age is zero.

They’re stepping into a completely new world with:

• Higher expectations.

• Unfamiliar surroundings.

• Coaches and teammates they’ve never met before.