Jobs in football

Author
Darcy Nathan, Editor
Posted
October, 2025

From coaching and scouting to media, finance, and medical support, football offers countless career opportunities beyond scoring goals

Why should I choose a career in football?

Football is a global industry supporting around 1.25 million jobs, making it one of the world鈥檚 fastest-growing sectors. With youth participation increasing by 4% each year, the demand for skilled professionals continues to expand across every area.

Clear progression pathways - from grassroots to professional levels - allow you to develop skills steadily, whether on the field training players or behind the scenes helping match days run smoothly.

The football industry also offers flexibility, with many part-time roles, though salaries vary depending on the role and your experience.

What jobs can I do in football?

Whether you want to work on the pitch or behind the scenes, there are opportunities to make an impact.

On-field careers

These roles place you at the heart of the action, working directly with players and teams to enhance performance, develop talent, and support success, for example:

  • Coach - guide individuals and teams on tactics and techniques to reach their potential.
  • Performance analyst - use data and video technology to evaluate player and team performance.
  • Personal trainer - design fitness programmes focusing on strength, endurance, agility, and injury prevention.
  • Sports therapist or physiotherapist - provide medical support, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
  • Sport and exercise psychologist - assess mental processes to boost confidence, resilience, and motivation.

Off-field careers

Behind every team is a network of professionals ensuring smooth operations, effective strategy, and player welfare, such as:

  • Commercial partnerships lead - manage sponsorships and brand collaborations.
  • Community development worker - run grassroots programmes and promote community engagement.
  • Finance manager - manage budgets, player transfers, and club accounts.
  • Project manager - oversee initiatives to improve operations or community programmes.
  • Safeguarding lead - ensure the welfare of young players.
  • Sports administrator - manage scheduling, logistics, and communications.

Specialist and support roles

Football also relies on specialists working behind the scenes to keep the game running smoothly, including:

  • Broadcast journalist - cover matches and deliver news across TV, radio, and digital platforms.
  • Groundskeeper - maintain pitches, training facilities, and stadiums.
  • Referee - officiate matches at all levels.
  • Sports lawyer - draft contracts, represent clubs, and ensure compliance with league rules.
  • Tactical analyst - provide opposition analysis and tactical insights.
  • Talent scout - identify and recruit future stars.

Take a look at sports graduate jobs for more information on roles and responsibilities.

What football qualifications can I study?

A career in football often requires specialised training. To choose the right pathway, consult our guide to qualifications.

Bachelors degrees

Some universities now offer football-specific degrees that combine academic study with hands-on experience.

For example, the BSc in Football Studies at the University of Lancashire is a three-year programme blending classroom learning with practical placements. You'll explore football from every angle, equipping you for specialised roles or further postgraduate study.

Specialist institutions like University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) and University Academy 92 (UA92) offer football-focused degrees that combine coaching, sports business, and management:

  • BA Football Coaching and Management at UCFB - delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches in live club settings, this programme prepares you for careers in talent identification, academy coaching, and football management.
  • BSc Business of Football at UA92 - developed with Manchester United and Salford City, this fully coursework-based degree covers management, player care, and operations, and includes the '92 Programme,' which focuses on employability and professionalism.

If you're interested in media or communications in football, courses like BA Sports Journalism 听at the University of East London give you practical experience across:

  • broadcast
  • digital
  • print journalism.

Another route is BA Multimedia Sports Journalism at the University of Northampton, which focuses on the content creation and communication skills clubs look for, such as:

  • handling club media
  • producing video packages
  • social media strategy
  • writing.

If you're drawn to the legal and regulatory side of football, a Law degree (LLB Hons) with a focus on sports is the best starting point. Universities offering specialist modules in sports contracts, governance, and dispute resolution include:

  • De Montfort University - LLB module on sports regulations and the commercial aspects of sport.
  • Edge Hill University - home to the Centre for Sports Law Research, with a dedicated sports law stream within its LLB (Hons) Law degree.
  • Northumbria University - module covering the theory, law, and practice of sports law in England and Wales, including the World Anti-Doping Code.

Discover a range of law careers to find the path that's right for you.

For a clinical pathway, the BSc Physiotherapy at the University of Northampton provides the professional training required to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK. With this accredited degree, you can register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

While many graduates work in the NHS, others become physiotherapists for sports teams, supporting players with:

  • prevent injury
  • rehabilitate and recover from injuries
  • working on fitness.

If you're more interested in performance and analysis, the BSc Sport Performance Analysis at Cardiff Metropolitan University is a great fit. The course covers tactical and technical analysis, athlete tracking, and behavioural studies, with plenty of applied work in real sporting environments. Graduates often go on to:

  • work for a football club analysing match footage
  • help with scouting
  • support coaches with data-led feedback on player performance
  • combine video and analytics to drive decisions in training and match preparation.听

Other football-related Bachelors courses include:

Masters degrees

At postgraduate level, you can specialise and deepen your expertise, preparing you for a management or advanced technical role.

Common areas of specialisation include:

  • football leadership
  • media
  • medicine
  • performance analysis
  • training.

For example, the MSc Football Medicine in association with FIFA at the University of Bath is a three- to five-year distance learning programme for qualified doctors. Priced at 拢8,180, it equips graduates to:

  • manage football-related injuries
  • provide pitch-side emergency care
  • support player wellbeing
  • gain hands-on experience at FIFA's world-leading facilities in Zurich.

Alternatively, the MA Sports Journalism and Communication at Unisport Management School focuses on football media, including communication strategy, content creation, and sports journalism. The programme costs 拢9,588 at Masters level, or 拢7,188 as a postgraduate diploma (PGDip).

At Masters level, you can further specialise in sports law through programmes like a Master of Laws (LLM). These courses prepare you for careers in football law, including roles in club legal departments, sports agencies, and governing bodies. Consider these sports LLM courses:

Discover how to become a lawyer.

Other postgraduate football programmes include:听

Search for postgraduate football courses.

MBAs

For leadership roles, a football-focused Master of Business Administration (MBA) provides advanced business training, preparing graduates for senior positions in clubs, governing bodies, media organisations, or football-related businesses.

For example, the one-year, full-time MBA Football Industries at the University of Liverpool, priced at 拢26,500, prepares graduates for senior positions across clubs, governing bodies, media, and football-related businesses. Modules cover:

  • finance
  • innovation
  • law
  • leadership
  • strategy
  • operations in the global football industry.

If you already hold an MBA, Liverpool also offers a Certificate in Business Administration (Football Industries), allowing you to specialise further by taking football-focused modules.

Other football MBAs include:

Search for an MBA in football.

Can I do an apprenticeship in football?

Football offers apprenticeship opportunities across nearly every area of the sport, letting you learn from professionals while building skills and connections that can launch a career.

If you have the talent and want to play professionally, an apprenticeship shows you what life as a footballer is really like. Through League Football Education, over 1,200 apprentices aged 16 to 18 train full time, balancing classroom study with daily:

  • gym work
  • match preparation
  • pitch sessions.

You'll also work toward the Level 3 Sporting Excellence Professional qualification - developing elite-level skills while earning a qualification that supports your future career.

If playing isn't your focus, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes opportunities. The FA offer a two-year Football Operations Administration apprenticeship at Wembley Stadium, combining hands-on experience with a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

Wycombe Wanderers FC听 offer a Level 3 Human Resources Support apprenticeship, where you'll manage:

  • payroll
  • recruitment
  • wellbeing projects.

Clubs also need staff in groundskeeping, event management, and operations. Luton Town FC run a two-year Groundsperson apprenticeship, earning a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative qualification while learning:

  • machinery operation
  • matchday preparations
  • pitch maintenance.

For those interested in marketing, Brighton and Hove Albion FC offer an 18-month marketing apprenticeship at the American Express Stadium. You'll gain a Level 4 Marketing Executive qualification while supporting campaigns, creative projects, and trend analysis in a professional environment.

Explore sports apprenticeships or search for a football apprenticeship at GOV.UK

Do I need professional qualifications?

At every level of football, professional qualifications demonstrate your competence and commitment to safety, and provide clear pathways for career progression. They ensure that coaches, analysts, and other staff are trained to:

  • follow best practice
  • protect players' wellbeing
  • recognise and manage risks to maintain a safe environment.

At grassroots level, introductory coaching, refereeing, or scouting courses provide foundational skills. For example听

  • UEFA C Diploma - an entry-level coaching award, it equips you with foundational skills to develop players' decision-making and adaptability while guiding your future professional growth.
  • FA Refereeing Course - open to anyone aged 14 and over, this course trains you to officiate youth and grassroots matches under supervision.
  • FA National Talent Identification and Scouting in Football - a foundation course teaching you to recognise potential in young players, including match reporting, performance analysis, and relationship-building.

As you progress to semi-professional or lower-league football, more advanced qualifications are expected to manage competitive matches effectively:

At the professional and elite level, qualifications become highly specialised and rigorous:

  • UEFA A Diploma - the highest practical coaching award, emphasising modern strategies and systems for 11-a-side football.
  • UEFA Pro Licence - open to UEFA A holders with professional coaching or playing experience, this 18-month course develops advanced leadership, tactical expertise, and long-term player development strategies.
  • FA Leadership of Talent Identification and Development - designed for professionals in scouting and talent identification seeking to enhance leadership skills within the professional game.

How do I get work experience in football?

Landing a top-level football job without work experience is unrealistic - but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to start building your career.

A great first step is interning or shadowing professionals. For example, Peterborough United offers an academy performance analyst internship, where you support player development and help nurture future talent with experienced staff alongside their team of experts to gain first hand insight into player development.

Volunteering with local teams is another option. Many clubs post opportunities online, but you can also apply speculatively. At Darlington FC, for instance, volunteers assist the men's first-team physio, gaining hands-on sports medical experience with:

  • cool-downs
  • massages
  • taping
  • warm-ups.

Work placements with clubs or sports companies provide further insight. West Ham United, for example, offer an analyst placement within their academy, giving students hands-on experience in training under the guidance of the club's professional analysts in:

  • match analysis
  • player monitoring
  • supporting both pre- and post-match performance review.

If you're interested in working in the media, there are opportunities to support match commentary, manage a local club's social media channels, or produce user generated content for your personal YouTube channel. Discover 5 tips for getting media work experience.

Creating match analysis videos or writing blogs not only showcases your initiative and transferable skills, but also helps you build a creative portfolio - an asset that can strengthen your job applications and make a strong impression in interviews.

Where can I find a job in football?

If you're looking to start your career in football, clubs and organisations often post vacancies on their own websites, so it's worth checking the careers pages of your local teams. Most allow you to apply for jobs directly or upload your CV, offering a simple way to get your foot in the door.

Governing bodies also post roles ranging from grassroots development to international operations. Consider searching:

Beyond official sites, you can search specialist job platforms for football careers:听

  • Football Careers - a platform with opportunities in football worldwide.
  • Jobs in Football - a dedicated job search for roles in the field.
  • Jobs4football - host a range of vacancies, from paid roles to internships.
  • UK Sport - a hub for roles across performance, coaching, media, and management.

If you're interested in a more flexible route, freelancing can also be a way to break into football.

Many clubs, media outlets, and sports organisations hire freelancers for:听

  • analysis
  • coaching
  • content creation
  • social media management.

Networking with professionals in the industry and building a personal brand can often lead to

recurring freelance work or even full-time opportunities.

You should also make use of LinkedIn and keep an eye on social media platforms, where clubs and agencies often advertise internships, placements, and graduate-level positions before they're widely advertised.

How much can I get paid working in football?

When most people think of football careers, they imagine professional players earning six-figure salaries. In reality, those figures are rare - globally, fewer than 2% earn over 拢536,000 per year, while 74% earn less than 拢2,980 per month.

The amount you earn depends on:

  • experience
  • responsibilities
  • the status of the club or organisation you work for.

Here's a general idea for graduates:

  • Performance and coaching roles - entry-level positions often start around 拢17,000 to 拢19,000 per year. As you gain experience, you could move up to roles like regional coaching manager, earning 拢50,000 to 拢60,000, with top-level positions offering six-figure salaries.
  • Off-the-pitch careers - jobs in areas like administration, marketing, or media typically start in the low 拢20,000s, while experienced senior managers can earn 拢60,000 or more.
  • Premier League opportunities - England's top clubs tend to offer higher starting salaries. Entry-level roles, whether on-pitch or off-pitch, often begin above 拢25,000, while senior positions can surpass 拢50,000, reflecting the financial scale of top-flight football.

For more details on salaries in the sector, explore our sport job profiles.

Can I start my career in women's football?

Yes - and the opportunity is growing every year. Revenue in the Barclays Women's Super League is projected to reach 拢100million in the 2025/26 season, with a surge in profit driven by growing commercial investments and increasing fan engagement.

For female players, salaries can vary widely. While some earn modest wages and may balance football with second jobs, this highlights the dedication and resilience required to succeed at the highest level.

Although player salaries are gradually increasing, the bigger story lies in equal access to business and operational roles across the sport. From coaching and administration to performance support, there is a level playing field for career progression.

Opportunities are available in areas such as:

  • club administration
  • coaching
  • performance analysis
  • sports science.

There are also specialist roles supporting the growth and inclusion of women in football, including:

Equality and inclusion officer - delivers initiatives addressing barriers to participation, representation, and professional opportunities for women in football.

  • Women's business development manager - oversees commercial activity and development for women's teams, which often have different resource structures than men's teams.听
  • Women's sports scientist - tailors training, nutrition, and conditioning to female physiology and the specific demands of the women's game.
  • Women's talent centres lead - focuses on addressing the historical gaps in access, resources, and coaching for female players.

To explore opportunities, check platforms highlighting roles across the women's game such as:

Find out more

Written by Darcy Nathan, Editor

蘑菇视频黄片 · October 2025

How would you rate this page?

On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like

success feedback

Thank you for rating the page