At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver a holistic coaching programme for U9 players at Arsenal Football Club.
- Company: Join the prestigious Arsenal Football Club and be part of a winning team.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, flexible working, and health benefits while developing your coaching career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young players' lives and help them thrive in their football journey.
- Qualifications: UEFA B Licence and experience coaching elite academy players required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive environment that values trust and belonging.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Title
U9 Academy Head Coach at Arsenal Football Club
Overview
We are looking for an U9 Academy Head Coach to lead and deliver a holistic coaching programme for U9 players, building impactful connections with children and their families at the beginning of their academy journey, helping them settle into our Academy, and creating a challenging yet caring environment that fosters development across the Academy pillars.
Role Details
We are seeking a dedicated coach to oversee player development, ensure compliance with Premier League, FA and EPPP requirements, collaborate across the Academy, support player transitions, and assist with talent identification.
Responsibilities
- Oversee player development: plan and deliver high-quality, age-appropriate training and games programmes; conduct player reviews; contribute to progression and pathway meetings; regularly assess current football performance and future potential.
- Uphold compliance: ensure all coaching activity complies with Premier League, FA and EPPP requirements; maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation.
- Collaborate with Academy colleagues: work with multidisciplinary teams, Head of Academy Coaching, Coach Developer and Foundation Phase Lead to enhance programmes and support coach and player development.
- Support player transitions: build positive relationships with players and families to ease transitions from pre-academy and development squads into the Academy.
- Assist with talent identification: partner with Talent Identification to input into talent selection and trialist processes.
What We Are Looking For
- Extensive experience coaching elite academy players with a track record of working with elite academy players and knowledge of EPPP; experience with FIP, Hudl, Teamworks and Sports Session Planner; proven success coaching players who progressed to professional levels in the Premier League or Football League.
- Credible expertise: UEFA B Licence, FA Youth Module 3 Coaching Award (or equivalent), and current or planned FA Advanced Youth Award for Coaching.
- Designing coaching programmes: knowledge of skill acquisition theory and practice and child development (pedagogy) to create effective sessions with transfer to match play.
- Motivation and drive: ambitious, with commitment, passion and patience for long-term player development.
- First Aid and Safeguarding: FA Safeguarding Certificate and First Aid Certification.
- Collaboration and communication: ability to work within a coaching team and academy guidelines; build strong relationships with colleagues, players and families.
- Organised and adaptable: exceptional organisational and time-management skills.
- Ambassador for the club: act as a role model, embodying our Academy values of discipline, humility and respect, and our wider club values.
Why Choose Us
Arsenal is committed to trust and belonging, with club values and employee benefits designed to support staff. As part of our team, you will receive:
- Reward and recognition scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement that increases with service
- Internal learning and development programmes
- Flexible hybrid working model
- Priority access to match tickets
- Competitive health and wellbeing benefits
- Leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts with partners
Discover why ‘Our Gunners’ are proud to be part of our team – view their stories here.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Arsenal for Everyone is our commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, so everyone connected to the club feels they belong to the Arsenal family. We embrace diversity of background, skills and experience.
Disability Confident
We are a Disability Confident Leader. We welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. If you need adjustments to the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application. If you meet the definition of a ‘disabled person’ under the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme. Any health information you share will not be used in recruitment decisions.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and adults at risk. Successful candidates will complete a DBS check and other essential background checks prior to starting. Depending on the role, a DBS may be basic, standard, or enhanced.
Application Closing Date – Sunday 28 September 2025
Note: We reserve the right to close the position early if application volumes are high. We encourage timely applications. Updates on application status will be sent via email; please check spam/junk folders as messages may be filtered there.
Location
London, England, United Kingdom
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U9 Academy Head Coach employer: Arsenal Football Club
Contact Detail:
Arsenal Football Club Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land U9 Academy Head Coach
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the football community, attend coaching clinics, and engage with fellow coaches. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t always advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your coaching achievements, player development stories, and any innovative training methods you've implemented. This will help you stand out when chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to clubs or academies you admire, like Arsenal, and express your interest in coaching roles. You never know what might come from a simple conversation!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to contribute to the Academy's success.
We think you need these skills to ace U9 Academy Head Coach
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for coaching and player development shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for working with young players and how you can create a positive environment for them.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant coaching experience, especially with elite academy players. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've helped players progress, so don’t hold back on those success stories!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to make your key achievements stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there too.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arsenal Football Club
✨Know Your Coaching Philosophy
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your coaching philosophy. Be ready to discuss how you plan to create a holistic coaching programme for U9 players and how you can build impactful connections with children and their families.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Compliance Standards
Make sure you understand the Premier League, FA, and EPPP requirements. Being able to demonstrate your knowledge of these standards during the interview will show that you're serious about upholding compliance in your coaching activities.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to work with other coaches and support player transitions, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Player Development
Be ready to share specific instances where you've helped players progress to higher levels. Your motivation and drive for long-term player development should shine through, so let your passion for coaching come across in your answers.