The UEFA A-License is considered one of the highest coaching qualifications in soccer and a milestone for ambitious coaches. But what does it really mean to go through this training? What challenges do you face, and what insights do you gain for your personal development and daily work?
In this interview, Thomas Kettner – an experienced coach and author of numerous specialist books at the Institute for Youth Soccer – gives us exclusive insights into his journey toward the UEFA A-License, which he completed with the DFB (German Football Federation). Thomas shares his motivation for undergoing the application process, talks about the biggest challenges during the training, and reveals which topics inspired him the most.
Get ready for exciting insights into the training, practical coaching tips, and valuable advice for anyone considering taking this step. Enjoy the interview!
UEFA A-License Coaching Course
What motivated you to pursue the UEFA A-License, and what were your goals?
Because of my work in the Women’s Regionalliga (third highest league in germany), where many coaches already have the A-License, I was curious to see how far I would get under the new points system of the DFB (German Football Association).
That’s why I decided to go through the application process in the spring of 2024.
How would you describe the challenges during the training? Were there moments that were particularly demanding for you?
Since I neither had a professional playing career nor long-term experience in a youth academy, the biggest challenge was getting a place in the DFB’s new A-License program in the first place.
Until a few years ago, you could obtain the A-License through a two-week course with a three-day final exam. That has fundamentally changed.
Nowadays, the training is not only much more extensive and expensive but also significantly more practical and in-depth. As a result, the number of participants for the DFB’s second-highest coaching license has been limited, and the admission requirements have increased accordingly.
Experimenting with and discussing various strategies and philosophies with other coaches gave me an incredible amount of inspiration for my future coaching career.
Thomas Kettner
The tight schedule (6–7 months for the entire training content), combined with a regular job and the mandatory coaching duties, created a high-stress level. The DFB recognized this issue last year, and starting in 2025, the training will be extended from 6–7 months to 10 months while keeping the same content (360 learning units + internship).
There are now two A-License courses per year running in parallel. This will reduce travel time for many participants, as one course takes place in Kaiserau (near Dortmund) and the other in Grünberg (Hessen). Personally, I had a 5–6-hour drive to Barsinghausen. Participants from Freiburg and Munich had even longer trips. The travel day was always Sunday. If you had a game with your team that day, you would only arrive late in the evening or even at night.
What were the most important or surprising aspects of the course for you?
Based on the DFB’s coaching development model, the training is fundamentally built around four components: MYSELF, GAME & PLAYER, ORGANIZATION, and SYSTEM SOCCER.
The extremely open feedback culture among participants, instructors, and lecturers meant that we were constantly confronted with how we presented ourselves. You start to become more aware of how others perceive you and how you do things. However, this is an ongoing process that doesn’t end with the completion of the A-License. It’s now about continuously working on yourself.
UEFA A-License Coaching Course
Were there any topics or focus areas that particularly excited you?
For me, it was a very stressful but extremely educational time! This applied to all kinds of topics because, for six months, the door to professional soccer was opened. It involved planning, processes, ways of thinking, behaviors, and networking.
For example, Sven Bender gave a lecture on the planning, execution, and follow-up of the 2024 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. Until the summer, he was still working as an assistant coach at BVB before moving to SpVgg Unterhaching. The details he shared were not found in the press or anywhere else.
Another highlight was an internship report by Julia Simic, who observed Fabian Hürzeler, the youngest-ever Premier League coach, currently managing Brighton & Hove Albion. We got insights into team meetings, video sessions, and detailed coaching from team training with one of Europe’s most exciting coaches.
How did you experience the atmosphere at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt? What makes the training there special?
The training actually took place at the Barsinghausen Sports School (near Hanover) because room availability at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt is limited. During Euro 2024, the Turkish national team stayed in Barsinghausen, so the facilities were still in top condition.
The atmosphere was excellent! This was partly due to the small, family-like sports school but mainly because of the outstanding team spirit within the group and the very open approach of the instructors and lecturers.
How has the new A-License training changed compared to before?
A few years ago, you could obtain the A-License with two weeks of training and a three-day exam.
Now, the program consists of 360 learning units with seven in-person phases (each lasting three days). Between these phases, you have to apply what you’ve learned with your home club. Additionally, you must complete a multi-day internship during the training and a final assessment at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt. I personally chose to intern with TSG Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga women’s team and VfB Stuttgart’s U19 juniors.
Practical Applications & Insights
What new impulses or insights will you apply to your work as a coach?
During the A-License training, I gained countless insights into areas like leadership, personality development, media competence, technical expertise, and methodology.
Now, it’s about applying these insights to my own development as a coach. The training had a strong practical focus, and we had to implement concepts with our own teams between course phases. This applied to tactical topics, leadership, teamwork, and the surrounding environment.
Each training session—whether with our home club or during in-person phases—was filmed from two camera angles. One was a wide-angle shot (bird’s-eye view of the whole field) and the other was a trainer close-up (coach cam). Afterward, we had to synchronize and upload the footage to the online campus for review. The instructors and fellow participants provided feedback on our session goals, coaching style, communication, technical skills, and organization. Every aspect was analyzed under a microscope.
The different backgrounds of participants made the discussions and testing of different coaching strategies extremely valuable. The perspective of players was especially important—how do they perceive instructions? Am I communicating my ideas effectively? Former professional players in the group gave valuable feedback to help coaches work more effectively.
How do you see your coaching development in the coming years?
I believe I am already a coach suited for the upper amateur level. I’m also open to working in the semi-professional sector, whether as a head coach or assistant coach.
However, it all has to align properly. So, I take a relaxed approach—everything is possible, but nothing is mandatory.
UEFA A-License Coaching Course
Do you have any advice for other coaches considering the A-License?
I can only say that, contrary to what many people think, the DFB does not block lower-level coaches from accessing this training. The admission is based on a transparent points system—the higher your playing and coaching experience, the more points you earn per season.
It is certainly difficult for amateur coaches to reach the required score. But my experience proves that it’s possible!
Having extensive coaching experience and relevant soccer education is helpful if you don’t have a professional or youth academy background. This includes years of coaching experience and additional training from state associations, the DFB, or other soccer-specific institutions in your country.
