As 2024 cohort of the Scottish FA’s UEFA Pro Licence approach the latter stages of their two-year course, the group enjoyed an educational three-day visit to English Premier League clubs Everton and Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
The trip began at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground, with an opportunity for the cohort to learn invaluable lessons from experienced Scottish manager, David Moyes, who has managed over one thousand professional games.
Moyes, who began his coaching journey with the Scottish FA, delivered a presentation highlighting his rise through the game, whilst also detailing key challenges encountered throughout his career and the strategies he utilised to address them.
The group then spent two days embedded at Nottingham Forest, with open access to first team training both days under manager Sean Dyche, who also joined the candidates for discussion about his experiences in the game.
With time split across both the training ground and the club’s City Ground stadium, the candidates heard from several key members of staff within the club, including Andy Reid (Transition Coach), George Syrianos (Global Technical Director), Sam Astley (Head of Analysis), Owen Coyle (Player Pathway and Loans Manager), Francisco Belo (Head of Football Data Insights), Adam Burrows (Head of S&C) and Axl Rice (First Team Coach / Analyst).
Topics included the integration of data and AI in recruitment, the club’s talented player performance programme, the club’s use of loans and the role of the set-piece coach.
Ritchie Wilson, Head of Coach Education & Development: “We brought the UEFA Pro Licence 2024 cohort to visit Nottingham Forest across two days, gaining an insight into how a Premier League club operates at a high level. Before that, we were in at Everton and spent some time with David Moyes who was passing on his experiences as a manager to the group.
“The Pro Licence is all about learning new experiences, and both clubs have been fantastic examples of how these elite level clubs operate, across all different departments.
“We’re hugely grateful to both clubs for welcoming us and putting on such a varied programme that I’m certain our candidates will have taken a great deal from.”
Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest Head Coach: “I progressed through a similar journey where I completed all the licences, and I think it’s always good if you can get to see people that have been involved in the game for a while, like myself, and it’s nice to give something back so I’m more than happy to help.
“I always think the best coaches are the best thieves, to see how much information you can pinch off people and put it in your own ideas. One piece of advice can make you think differently, so I’m always open-minded to new ways of thinking whilst also implementing my own ideas.”
David Gray, Hibernian manager and current UEFA Pro Licence candidate: “When you see the real access we’ve got here at Nottingham Forest, and the presentations that high-quality staff have put on for us, it’s absolutely brilliant.
“Also, attending Everton yesterday and speaking to David Moyes, someone who is very experienced and has been as successful as he has been, is something that will benefit every candidate that’s for sure.”
Craig Mulholland, Head of Football Development and Talent Management, Nottingham Forest & current UEFA Pro Licence candidate: “When you’re at Premier League level, there’s a resource required to do what we do and not everyone will have that resource at their clubs, but for everybody, it’s about thinking ‘what can I take away from these days that I can apply?’.
“While there’s been a lot of learnings about technology and modern practice, there’s also good, traditional football lessons about how you deal with players and leadership levels so there’s been a really food, varied programme.”
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