Coaching licence in football: licences, further training and requirements

Coaching licence in football: Everything you need to know about licences and further training

Would you like to know how the DFB's new licence system is structured? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about coaching licences in football. You'll also find out when you need a coaching licence and up to which divisions you can coach with the respective licences.

spized | Football

December 6, 2024 |

Whats’ on this page

1. Ex-player, player father, assistant: The usual start as a coach in amateur football

2. The complex requirements profile of modern trainers

3. Football coaching licence: What licences are there?

3.1 How the new coaching licence system works in German football

4. Contents of the pre-licence stages for trainers

5. When do you need a coaching licence in football?

6. C licence: The first coaching licence in football

7. B and B+ licence: The next step for performance-oriented trainers

7.1 B-licence: facts at a glance

7.2 B+ licence: Facts at a glance

8. A and A+ licence: the path to semi-professional football

8.1 A-licence: facts at a glance

8.2 A+ licence: Facts at a glance

9. Pro licence: Welcome to professional football

9.1 Pro licence: Facts at a glance

10. Which licence is right for me?

11. The new licence system for trainers: advantages and disadvantages

12. You never stop learning - extending your trainer licence

13. Coaching licence in football: advantages for the clubs

Ex-player, player father, assistant: The usual start as a coach in amateur football

Basically, the entry into the world of football coaching has hardly changed over the past decades. There are still two groups of people or entry points for coaches that dominate the football world at amateur level: the player's father, who steps in as a coach because the team would otherwise be without a coach - and the ex-player, who ends his amateur career and wants to remain loyal to football in a different role. Many prospective coaches also start out as co-coaches or assistant coaches, where the purely sporting interests of a team are often not the main focus. The co-coach or assistant coach takes on tasks such as team events, parent communication, organising test matches or ordering equipment. These dedicated helpers often slip into the role of head coach because the head coach quits at some point or changes clubs and the assistant coach is then the first point of contact for many clubs. The coaching job practically falls at the feet of these people.

The complex requirements profile of modern trainers

The days when coaches were judged on the basis of their former league affiliation (‘he used to play at the top’) are long gone. With top coaches such as Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and José Mourinho, professional football has shown us that being a former player in a league is no indication of your qualities as a coach. In football, regardless of the league, not only technical expertise is required, but also social skills that influence motivation, commitment and team cohesion.

Organisational and communication skills also play a decisive role. Training sessions or match preparations that descend into chaos due to a lack of organisation or destructive communicative exchanges with the team and individual players usually stop being successful at a certain point. In addition, there are specific requirements that depend on the respective age group. The requirements profile can be summarised as follows:

Professional expertise
Age-appropriate and class-appropriate approach
Structure and organisation
Communication skills
Social skills

Football coaching licence: What licences are there?

The DFB (German Football Association) makes a distinction in coach training between grassroots and competitive football. So-called preliminary licence stages are provided for grassroots sport before the first coaching licence in football begins with the C licence. The DFB reorganised the coaching licence system in 2022. Previously, the C licence was the first coaching licence that could be obtained. This was followed by the B licence, the Junior Pro licence, the A licence and football instructor training. The old licence system made it easy for coaches to get started. The technical input and examination difficulty were designed in such a way that the C licence could be passed with sufficient commitment. Consequently, this also had a positive impact on passing the B licence in terms of the complexity of the content.

How the new coaching licence system works in German football

The new licence system is structured like a staircase and has a mandatory entry level with the C trainer licence. This is followed by the B licence, which can then be extended with two different profiles. The youth profile (B+ licence and A+ licence) or the adult profile (A licence and Pro licence) are the remaining coaching licences available from the DFB. Before the C licence, there is the opportunity to take part in further training and obtain certificates. This is the DFB licence system in detail:

Children's coach certificate
DFB Basic Coach / DFB Junior Coach
C-licence (profile children, youth or adults)
B-licence
B+ licence and A+ licence with the Junior profile
A licence and Pro licence with the adult profile

The new licence and further education system shows that the DFB is increasingly focusing on training content that is appropriate for the age group and playing level. The further education courses (children's certificate, basic coach and junior coach) ensure that all committed coaches have an easy entry point that teaches initial content in a profitable way. As a result, the content of the C licence has been upgraded so that it lives up to the name of the first licence level.

Contents of the pre-licence stages for trainers

Children's coaching certificate

The children's coaching certificate is specifically for Bambini to E-youth teams. The content covers the planning, implementation and evaluation of child-orientated football training. In addition, the implementation of the new match formats (including 3-on-3) and the development of the coach's personality in children's football are further focal points. The training programme comprises 20 learning units (1 learning unit = 45 minutes), which are divided into two attendance days and three online seminars.

DFB Basic Coach

The DFB Basic Coach training programme is designed for children's, youth and adult teams. The aim is to carry out game-orientated and age-appropriate training and to plan, implement and evaluate it. The training programme comprises 40 learning units, which take place over one to two months both online and in person. The prerequisite for admission is the completion of the 15th year of age.

DFB Junior Coach

This training programme is aimed at football clubs and club teams in the children's and youth sector. In terms of content, it deals with the planning, implementation and evaluation of game-orientated and age-appropriate training in school football clubs. The football programme should be implemented sensibly and safely in accordance with school requirements. The training programme comprises 40 units, which take place in project weeks at the school.

When do you need a coaching licence in football?

The coaching licence, i.e. the first licence level in German football, is not mandatory in every division. There are also different regulations within the regional associations. In most cases, a C licence is not mandatory for district matches, meaning that all coaches can pursue their hobby in lower divisions. Licences only become mandatory for coaches at district level and above. However, clubs and coaches should act independently of the division and make the most of the valuable input from the regional associations in the form of further training and licences. Ultimately, the DFB basic coaching courses and the children's coaching certificate have also created a simple framework for acquiring modern football expertise.

C licence: The first coaching licence in football

The C licence is now the first licence level and replaces the previous C licence, which was designed for grassroots football and not for competitive football. With the first licence level, coaches are allowed to coach all teams at district and county level (juniors up to district league, seniors up to national league). The C licence teaches how to learn football through controlled forms of play. It is also about creating a positive team atmosphere and deepening the development of your own coaching personality. The main reasons for the changes to the content of the C licence training were to increase the individual contact times between trainers and coaches and to teach methodological skills that allow players to develop optimally.

C licence: Facts at a glance

Duration: 120 units (40 DFB Basic Coach units) and 80 profile-specific units in a total of 2-4 months.
Profiles: Children (20 lessons from children's trainer certificate), youth or adults.
Area of application: All teams at district level.
Admission requirements: Extended certificate of good conduct, certificate of fitness for sport, proof of membership of a club.
Special features: Completion of DFB Basic Coach or DFB Junior Coach, 15 years of age, basic first aid training.
Costs: Around 300 euros (prices vary in the different regional associations).

B and B+ licence: The next step for performance-oriented trainers

The B licence is suitable for all teams that play amateur competitive football. As a result, a lot of emphasis is placed on creating a performance-orientated atmosphere during the training. In addition, individual, group and team tactics are also taught in detail. Match analysis and coaching are also an elementary component of the B licence training. The B+ licence is an additional coaching licence that is specifically geared towards talent development at DFB bases and in performance-oriented youth football (usually from the second-highest division). At its core, this is about age-appropriate and development-orientated coaching of young people and the management of games and training with a focus on individual support and free playing time.

B-licence: facts at a glance

Duration: 120 learning units (60 units profile-specific.
Profiles: Youth or adults.
Area of application: Men's teams in the amateur divisions up to the 5th league, all women's teams except the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga, all junior teams with the exception of the A and B junior youth leagues and the second-highest junior divisions in the respective state associations.
Admission requirements: Extended certificate of good conduct, certificate of sporting fitness, proof of membership of a club.
Special features: Valid C licence, 17 years of age, proof of 6 months of activity in the junior sector, proof of connection to amateur competitive football as an active coach (guidelines are the responsibility of the regional associations).
Costs: Around 1,000 euros (prices vary in the different state associations).

B+ licence: Facts at a glance

Duration: 160 learning units, divided into 4 attendance and application phases within 3-4 months.
Profile: Youth.
Area of application: Girls in the B junior national league and boys in the A and B junior regional league (second highest division of the state associations), DFB support centre coach.
Admission requirements: Extended certificate of good conduct, certificate of sporting fitness, proof of membership of a club.
Special features: Valid B licence, proof as head coach from U12 in the highest national league or in U9 to U11 in a performance centre. Alternatively: Proof of practical experience over the course of many years and high-ranking player careers.
Costs: Including accommodation and meals approx. 2,500 euros.

A and A+ licence: the path to semi-professional football

The A licence entitles coaches to train men's regional league teams and women's teams up to Bundesliga 2. This coaching licence is all about developing your own playing philosophy and planning and managing playing and training processes. The strategic and situational management of a team on the cusp of professional football is a further focus. Dealing with external interest groups (advisors or the media) is also extensively discussed.

In terms of content, the A+ licence deals with the performance and transition area in performance centres and associations. The DFB now also differentiates between junior and senior football in its coach training programmes in the top German leagues. This ensures more age- and division-appropriate focal points, which provide the prospective licence coaches with more specific content.

A-licence: facts at a glance

Duration: 360 learning units, divided into 8 attendance and application phases within 7-8 months.
Profile: Adults.
Field of application: Men's regional league and women's 1st and 2nd Bundesliga, association sports instructor in a state association, DFB support centre coordinator.
Admission requirements: Extended certificate of good conduct, certificate of athletic fitness, proof of membership in a club.
Special features: Valid B or B+ licence, proof as head coach in high junior or senior leagues.
Costs: The course costs 6,000 euros. In addition, there are costs for accommodation and catering of approx. 4,500 euros.

A+ licence: Facts at a glance

Duration: 540 learning units, divided into 13 attendance and application phases within 12 months.
Profile: Youth.
Field of activity: Men's regional league and women's 1st and 2nd Bundesliga, head coach in the A and B junior youth leagues, association sports instructor in a state association, DFB support centre coordinator.
Admission requirements: Extended certificate of good conduct, certificate of sporting fitness, proof of membership of a club.
Special features: Valid B or B+ licence, proof as head coach in high junior or senior leagues.
Costs: The course costs 12,000 euros. In addition, there are costs for accommodation and catering of approx. 8,500 euros.

Pro licence: Welcome to professional football

The Pro Licence replaces the previously established football instructor course and focuses exclusively on professional leagues and national teams. The training programme focuses on refining and implementing your own vision of the game as well as the professional planning and management of games and training. In addition, professional football, with its high-performance culture, also has completely different circumstances in terms of staff, which are dealt with extensively in the Pro Licence. Dealing with the media, sponsors and advisors also plays a central role.

Pro licence: Facts at a glance

Duration: 700 learning units, divided into 15 attendance and application phases within 12-15 months.
Profile: Senior players.
Area of application: 1st Bundesliga, 2nd Bundesliga, 3rd Liga, national teams. DFB coaches as instructors in the DFB licence training courses.
Admission requirements: Extended certificate of good conduct, medical certificate of athletic fitness, submission and review of application documents with the entrance examination procedure, completion of an assessment, final decision on participating coaches.
Special features: Valid A or A+ licence, proof as head coach in high junior or senior leagues.
Costs: The course costs 19,000 euros. There are also costs for accommodation and catering.

Which licence is right for me?

If we assume an average amateur club in Germany, the intended entry level (DFB Basic Coach) is certainly correct. When choosing the right coaching licence in football, it depends on the age and playing level of the club or team. If you work in the children's area (Bambini to U11), we recommend the "Children's Coach Certificate" further education programme. Thanks to the new DFB training system, you will receive significantly more age- and game class-specific input than before. If you want to continue after the basic training, the C licence as the first official coaching licence in football is the next right step. With the C licence, coaches can train all teams at district and county level (juniors to district league and seniors to national league). There are performance-orientated leagues and players at both junior and senior level with whom you can also work very well in the tactical area.

The new licence system for trainers: advantages and disadvantages

The DFB's new licence system is a controversial topic in clubs, where opinions can differ widely. The introduction of further training as an introduction (DFB Basic Coach, children's coaching certificate) has certainly ensured that the C licence has been upgraded in terms of content. Because the C licence also allows coaching up to the higher junior and senior divisions, the first coaching licence in the DFB training system has become much more attractive. In addition, the time required to enter the coaching profession has been simplified with the further education courses. Furthermore, the course content for all licences (except the Pro Licence) has been adapted to suit specific profiles. A pure junior or senior coach is guaranteed to gain much more input for their practical work. On the other hand, there is a huge gap between the C and B or B+ licences in terms of time and cost. On the one hand, the costs for the B and A licences have risen enormously and on the other hand, the training takes place at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt. Not every regional association offers the higher licence training courses, which means that many have to travel more and therefore spend more time and money.

You never stop learning - extending your trainer licence

All licences are valid for three years after the successful examination. Ideally, trainers should take care of the renewal of the respective licence within the three years. An application for licence renewal must be submitted in the last six months of the licence's validity period. During the three years, you must take part in further training events and collect a specified number of learning units. Those who acquire a higher licence level automatically extend the licences they have already completed and do not need to take part in further training events to collect the learning units. The renewals and training courses are subject to a fee and can vary in price (between 50 and 300 euros). This depends on the respective licence training, the national associations and the accommodation at the sports school.

Coaching licence in football: advantages for the clubs

A coaching licence in football is no guarantee of first-class training for players. However, it lays the foundation for successful coaches, players and teams. Coaches with acquired expertise can be a valuable advertisement for clubs. The licence renewals also provide new impetus and continuous further training. Clubs also enjoy financial benefits: An application for "Promotion of training work" enables a subsidy for recognised licence holders. The amount of the subsidy depends on the number of licensed trainers in the club.