Football can be a
very short-lived career.
For many it is over in a heartbeat and the void of something that has taken up the majority of your early life can be very hard to fill.
But with coverage of the game at an all-time high, when the day comes when the boots are hung up for the last time, opportunities to stay in the game are becoming more frequent.
We’ve all seen the likes of Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher flourish in front of the Monday Night Football cameras.
Equally, at the other end of the spectrum, young, aspiring British coaches in Lee Johnson, Eddie Howe and even our very own Gary Rowett have stayed a little closer to home to set alight the management section at England’s highest levels.
Like anything, though, those who begin to ply their trade early usually have the best results.
And one player in particular within the Derby County ranks who has recognised this is very much on his way to completing his coaching badges (although it might not be who you initially thought!)
“It is something that I have always wanted to do,” Bradley Johnson told RamsTV.
“I’m always thinking about my career after football and now that I’m 30, it is something that you have to think about.
“I want to stay in football for as long as I can.”
The discovery of Johnson doing his coaching badges wasn’t as straight forward as telling the official website.
In an interview with former player Tommy Johnson, he releveled in our “RamsTV Meets” series that he was doing his UEFA A License alongside the current Derby midfielder.
“I went to Ireland and did my badges with an ex-player here, Tommy Johnson,” Johnson explained.
“He ended up assessing me and he was giving me some stick because I was the youngest player there.
“I remember when I did my first assessment, my job was to sort out the defenders and my back three was Danny Grainger, Luke Chambers and Wes Brown.
“It was one of them moments where you sit there and think wow, I’ve frozen.
“Tommy helped me get through it but it something that you don’t really pick up on when you’re playing.”
For Johnson though, his thirst for progression in the coaching game did not stop there.
The former Norwich City and Leeds United man was keen to further his knowledge out on the pitch and a conversation with Darren Wassall was the next step for Johnson as looks to play a part within the Academy.
Now, more than ever though, Johnson understands just how tough coaching potentially can be.
The midfielder added: “I’ve spoke to Darren Wassall about doing a couple of sessions with the kids here and I hope the club can help me do that but it’s definitely something that I want to do.
“You don’t see the work that goes into things from the coaches, in terms of planning sessions before you come in and have meeting to plan what you are going to do.
“Playing is a doddle. You turn up and you do what they want you to do!
“You never know, I could be a manager one day!”
Ever wondered how the UEFA Coaching Pyramid works?
Take a look at the breakdown below:
Level 5 - UEFA Pro Licence
A mandatory qualification for managing in the FA Premier League and UEFA competitions.
Most candidates complete in 12 months
Level 4 - UEFA A Licence
Work as a manager/coach in the professional game, or Academy Manager.
Most candidates complete within 2 years.
Level 3 - UEFA B Licence
Find work in Centres of Excellence and Academies.
You have 2 years, but can usually be completed in 12-18 months
Level 2 - Certificate in Coaching Football
Find work in Football in the Community, local authorities, US soccer camps.
You have 3 years to complete, but it can be achieved in 6 months. PFA members can start their coaching pathway at this tier.
Level 1
Useful for local community work, and can be completed in a few weeks. Not a mandatory qualification, but a gentle introduction.
For information from the official PFA website, click here.