Professional Player to Coach Scheme in Milton Keynes

Join the Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS) MK Dons, in partnership with the Premier League, PFA and EFL, is offering a 23-month, full-time Academy coaching role, to support the development of the next generation of football coaches as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme 2026/27. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.

What’s Involved?

You’ll split your time between Academy coaching at MK Dons and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams. Your development journey will include:

• Mentoring and bespoke support
• Immersive learning experiences
• Peer learning
• Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability)

On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.

Role Competencies:

Planning Timescales:

• Ensure all age groups are working in alignment with MK philosophy, reflected in planning of sessions and fixtures.
• Use age-appropriate individual development plans to deliver game model and coaching programme in line with Academy guidance.
• Plan and deliver a training cycle that is organised in advance of time and clearly outlined on academy schedules.
• Update registers every session and upload to central storage in line with Lead Coach instructions.
• Deliver feedback to players and parents through online platform and in person.

Decision Making:

• Use monitoring tools and timely reporting to head of coaching when assessing player and group performance.
• Accurately assess the learning objectives and learning outcomes review for training and matches for all players.
• Demonstrate professional rationale that underpins your decisions in relation to session planning and team selection.
• Take responsibility for registered players ‘playing across’ age groups, game formats and trialist decisions.

Impact & Influence:

• Identify through training and match performance player suggested for additional stretch or support.
• Use appropriate coaching techniques to help players work towards their Individual Development Plans.
• Use Veo/Hudl video analysis to support player development by regularly creating highlights and discussion with players.

Skill Level:

• Ability to coach using the football curriculum and coaching programme designed by the Academy.
• Ensures all training remains realistic and relevant to the players in your care.
• Can differentiate sessions to meet the needs of players ability and positions.
• Can demonstrate technical and tactical knowledge linked to the creation and execution of a game model.
• Can coach using a variety of teaching techniques including working individually, with groups and utilising video analysis.

Communication:

• Works well as part of a team and regularly talks to other phase lead coaches and the Head of Coaching.
• Use appropriate and varied coaching techniques to deliver coaching points quickly and effectively.
• Use online management platform and video calls to deliver Individual Development Plans and player reviews on time.
• Speak to players and parents clearly, confidently, and regularly to update them on their (their son’s) performance.
• Liaise regularly with all academy departments to remain up to date on all needs and responsibilities with specific players.
• Provide feedback on trialists and communicate in a timely fashion to recruitment department and parents.

Budget Management:

• Be responsible for the condition and cleanliness of Academy equipment.
• Ensure the facility and equipment is left in a tidy and safe state for the next user.

Lead & Develop:

• Support the Academy Continual Professional Development programme through regular attendance and participation in tasks.
• Ensure a development action plan is designed with the Head of Coaching and that it is regularly maintained and updated.
• Challenge poor practice (especially surrounding safeguarding and welfare of children) and report according to academy processes.

Operating Parameters:

• Ensure you work collaboratively to deliver a high standard of training and match experiences.
• Contribute to the Multi Disciplinary Team (academy Departments) and complete tasks with other departments to be suitably prepared for training and matches.
• Ensure additional tasks and unexpected circumstances are well covered and always serve in the best interest of the young people in our care.
• Balls are pumped up, clean and fit for purpose each training session or match and training equipment is clean and safe to use.
• Demonstrating high standards at all training and match day venues.
• Make sure the playing surface and goals are safe to use and safeguarding of children is at the forefront of planning, design, and review of coaching.
• Ensure you arrive on time and sessions are prepared ahead of player arrival.
• Able to work to a high level of competency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc and other web-based operating programmes.

Essential & Desirable Job Criteria:

Essential:

• PFA Member
• UEFA B licence (Registered on or completed)
• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate - (completed prior to role commencement)
• Emergency First Aid in Football Certificate (EFAiF - completed prior to role commencement)
• Full UK Driving Licence
• No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club

Desirable:

• UEFA A licence (or working towards)
• FA Advanced Youth Award (or prepared to work towards)
• Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings.
• Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis.
• Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport.
• Resides within reasonable distance to commute to Milton Keynes.