Student coaches come to Nyon

Budding professional coaches of the future from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Israel and Norway are the latest to be given a helping hand by UEFA on their career paths, as the European body's Pro licence student coach exchange programme gathers pace this autumn.

The student coaches, many of whom are aiming to move into the coaching profession after completing careers as professional footballers, will undertake theoretical and practical sessions at the House of European Football in Nyon. They will receive invaluable tips for the future from coaching figures who have a wealth of experience behind them.

The national associations involved also get a crucial opportunity to exchange coaching information and expertise, with European football's overall well-being in mind. The objective is to give UEFA Pro licence students the chance of international dialogue, as well as access to UEFA, its tutors and educational materials. A total of 41 associations have attended seminars in the programme so far. 

At least four European associations are present at each event, under the guidance of their own respective coach education directors. UEFA brings experienced tutors or coach educators to the courses together with UEFA's football education services, and members of the UEFA Jira Panel – the UEFA body responsible for overseeing coach education – take part together with guest presenters.

As usual, the students will be advised about the challenges and pitfalls of this demanding profession, and be told key pointers on the personal and professional profile that a coach needs to survive and prosper in the job on a long-term basis. German coach Thomas Schaaf, who has amassed great experience, in particular at the highest level with SV Werder Bremen, is a guest at this week's course, and in an on-stage interview will share this experience and knowledge with the students. The course also includes practical on-field training sessions.

The palette of topics that the students are asked to deliberate is a wide one – teaching practice, crisis management, developing mental strength, self-improvement methods, and handling supporter expectations and players. A media session also allows participants to show their skills in the flash interview situation seen on television after a UEFA Champions League game, and offers crucial advice on how to interact with the written press, radio and TV.

The students will be asked to analyse one of this week's UEFA Champions League fixtures, and will debate the trends and talking points that emerge from matches in the competition.