Professional Play to Coach Scheme – Academy Coach Derby County Football Club

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship and are under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited in the summer of 2022.

We are offering a 23‑month, full‑time academy coaching role to support the development of the next generation of football coaches. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and women, as they are underrepresented groups among the coaching roles across the professional game. The role is full‑time, for a fixed term of 23 months, based at Moor Farm Training Centre, Derby, and offers a salary of £31,500 per annum. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

• Plan, deliver, and review coaching sessions for players across the Foundation, Youth Development, and Professional Development phases.
• Develop an understanding of performance analysis with individual players, units, and teams to support player development.
• Conduct player review meetings in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Take responsibility for your development through the Development Programme and the DCFC Development Action Plan.
• Ensure the Academy’s holistic approach to player development is always adhered to.
• Highlight and celebrate good practice and challenge poor practice where identified.
• Attend player succession planning meetings to support the recruitment team.
• Participate in a review process, including monthly reports and work programmes highlighting progress and development strategy.
• Be responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.
• Continuously work to maintain, embed, and improve the club’s safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• Uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, including equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Present and promote an appropriate public image representing the organisation.
• Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post.

• UEFA B Licence as a minimum.
• No prior full‑time first‑team or academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club.
• Experience coaching in one or more of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre, or part‑time academy football settings.
• FA Safeguarding Certificate, Emergency First Aid, and Enhanced DBS (completed prior to role commencement).
• UEFA A Licence (desirable).

• Drive to coach in the professional game.
• Passion for player development and developmentally appropriate learning environments.
• Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high‑performance environments.
• Resilience and commitment to high‑performance environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Two complimentary staff season tickets.
• Two complimentary staff away memberships, subject to availability.
• Discounts with selected club partners and sponsors.
• Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well‑being.
• Perks for great deals and discounts.
• Participation in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’, and staff events.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust.
• EV charging at Moor Farm.

The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as they are underrepresented groups among the coaching roles that exist across the professional game. Derby County Football Club is an inclusive club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.