Moyes gives advice to students

"Coaches need time – but you can't ask for it." That was one of the succinct pieces of advice offered by David Moyes to a group of 80 coaches who had gathered in Nyon for a UEFA coach education student exchange event which formed part of their UEFA Pro licence course.

The coaches from Austria, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Ukraine were privileged to hear the former Preston North End FC, Everton FC and Manchester United FC manager trace his coaching career and highlight the qualities required for technicians working at the top end of the game.

"I had a difficult start," he told UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu, "because when I began as player-manager at Preston, we went five games without winning. After the first game we won, I was so thrilled that I wanted to go down the corridor and cry. Results affect you so much. I learned there was nothing quite like the 'Saturday-night feeling' after you had won a game – and I’ve always aimed to get that feeling as often as possible."

Moyes underlined the importance of serving an apprenticeship before taking the helm at a leading club. "My advice is to start in a role where you can learn and develop the coaching and leadership qualities that you’re going to need," he told the Pro licence group which included big names such as Ukraine star Andriy Shevchenko.

"To go straight into a big club is not right. You need to learn your trade. I used to go to courses and observe how colleagues set about the job – and I was happy if I could pick up just one detail that would help me to develop."

He explained how his thirst for knowledge prompted him to tour France during the 1998 FIFA World Cup in a hired car which sometimes served as a bedroom, given the lack of funds to pay for a hotel. "The Scottish FA got me tickets to see games," he recalled, "and that made me realise the importance of having good support and persuaded me that senior coaches should always try to give something back to the game."

Asked by the students to name his favourite part of the job, he responded: "The highs were the mornings spent out on the training pitch, working with the players, preparing them for the next game and helping them to improve. Coaching is about a lot of hard work but if you want to be successful you have to be prepared to put in the hours."

Moyes emphasised the value of leadership and decision-making qualities allied with coaching expertise. "The decision-making process is something you get a feel for," he told the students. "And my style of leadership is based on being open, honest and straightforward – and I would recommend remaining true to your own individual style of leadership."