The Scottish FA Coach Education team are set to welcome the latest crop of UEFA Pro Licence students as the 2020-22 intake is officially announced.
Over 80 applications were narrowed down to the final 20, who will begin their Scottish FA-delivered course on 31 August.
Former Scotland internationals James McFadden, Kenny Miller, Shaun Maloney and Kevin Thomson are among the latest group. Brisbane Roar striker Scott McDonald and Tampa Bay Rowdies manager Neil Collins join the likes of Darren O’Dea, Mark Fotheringham and Dean Whitehead on their road to European football’s most prestigious coaching award.
In unique circumstances, the latest intake will begin their learning process online, as COVID-19 measures remain in place.
Scottish FA Head of Coach Education and Development Greig Paterson: “The shortlisting and selection process was really competitive, as it always is. We received 84 applications, and it was extremely difficult arriving at the final 20 course participants but the strength of this group is clear to see.
“Now that they are assembled and confirmed, we look forward to working with them for the next two years. There is a huge amount of experience and a tremendous wealth of knowledge in this particular cohort, with all of them being hungry and ambitious to fulfil Head Coach positions successfully in their own right.
“I am sure they will push each other and the course leaders to really get the most from the course on the road to their scheduled graduation at the end of 2022.”
Scottish FA Head of Football Development Andrew Gould: “I am delighted to welcome our new UEFA Pro Licence candidates to this fantastic course and look forward to supporting such an experienced and strong group on their coaching journeys.
“With the nature of Elite Coaching, this course, delivered across a two year period, will cover a wide range of aspects beyond just coaching methodologies and the tactical aspects of the game. Candidates will be engaged in areas such as leadership, management, performance analysis, psychology, physiology and periodisation and will have the benefit of hearing from and working with a range of fantastic speakers, coaches and managers from across football and the business world.
“Working closely with Performance Director, Malky MacKay and Head of Performance Coaching, Scot Gemmill, we look forward to supporting this next generation of aspiring elite coaches.”
James McFadden is one of the 20 candidates on the latest intake and he is eagerly anticipating the next step in his coaching journey. He said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started on the Pro-Licence, it’s been an aim of mine for some time and is a step I’m ready and passionate about making in my career.
“I’ve been fortunate to play and work under some top managers over the years, they’ve all taught me a lot and in different ways. Starting the Pro Licence will be a good challenge for me and I look forward to working alongside the other guys on the course for the next two years.”
Scotland hero McFadden will be joined on the 2020-22 lineup by:
Francisco Alonso, Women's Head Coach, Celtic FC
Douglas Anderson, Coach Education & Development Manager, Scottish FA
Neill Collins, Head Coach & Technical Director, Tampa Bay Rowdies
Gerard Creaney, Head of Youth Coaching, St Johnstone FC
Gilberto Damiano, Manager/Head Coach, US Virgin Islands Men's NT
Brown Ferguson, Manager, Linlithgow Rose JFC
Mark Fotheringham, Assistant Manager/CO Trainer, FC Ingolstadt
Gavin Levey, Head of Coaching Academy, Aberdeen FC
Shaun Maloney, Assistant, Royale Belgian FA
Michael McArdle, Assistant Manager, Ayr United FC
Scott McDonald, Player/Academy Coach, Brisbane Roar
Kenny Miller, Assistant Manager, Newcastle Jets
Diarmuid O'Carroll, U20s Manager & 1st team Opposition Analyst, Motherwell FC
Darren O'Dea, U18 Manager, Celtic FC
Greig Robertson, Youth Coach, Celtic FC
Max Rogers, Assistant Head Coach, Saint Louis FC
Pedro Daniel Sousa, Assistant Coach, Olympique de Marseille
Kevin Thomson, B Team Coach, Rangers FC
Dean Whitehead, First Team Coach, Shrewsbury Town FC
To find out how to start your coaching journey, click here.