In a classroom at the Hertfordshire Sports Village, a group of England’s top female footballers have traded their boots for notepads. Arsenal stars Lia Wälti, Beth Mead and Kim Little sit alongside Chelsea goalkeeper Zećira Mušović, all united by a shared ambition: to become football managers. They are taking their first steps on UEFA’s ‘A’ License course, a year-long program designed specifically for aspiring female coaches.
The course, a collaboration between England’s Football Association (FA), Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and UEFA, aims to inspire more women to pursue coaching careers. It comes at a critical juncture for the women’s game, with only a third of Women’s Super League managers being female this season, down from 50% last year following the departures of Chelsea’s legendary Emma Hayes and Aston Villa’s Carla Ward.
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
For the players, the transition from pitch to dugout is not without challenges. Arsenal midfielder Kim Little admits feeling uncomfortable with the vocal demands of coaching. “Doing coaching is quite different because you have to be loud and clear to the players, which I definitely find quite hard,” she says. But Little sees value in being pushed beyond her comfort zone, viewing it as essential for personal growth.
In contrast, Beth Mead and former Watford keeper Sophie Harris embrace a more vocal approach. “You put your playing style across a different way; you’ve got different personalities. Same in coaching,” Mead explains. The course encourages participants to develop their unique coaching identities while providing a framework to deliver effective sessions.
Balancing Life as a Player
Juggling the intensive coaching course with the demands of professional football is no easy feat. Mušović, having played a Champions League match the night before, arrived at the 3 p.m. session on minimal sleep but full of enthusiasm. “I feel like I’ve gained another tool of how I can take the next level in my game,” she shares.
Mead, too, splits her time between Arsenal training and the regional coaching sessions. “I think you see things differently when you come into this role as a player,” she reflects, noting how the course has broadened her understanding of the game beyond her own position.
Learning from the Best
The players draw inspiration from the coaches they have worked with, aiming to incorporate elements of their philosophies into their own styles. For Mušović, Chelsea’s Emma Hayes is a guiding light. “I like Emma’s way of working…I want my players to be creative. I want them to have freedom, and I want them to have the confidence they’re the best in the world,” she states.
The Arsenal trio credit former manager Joe Montemurro for his approachable style and individualized approach. Mead also cites England boss Sarina Wiegman as a major influence. “I know quite a lot of my coaching style has come down from my time with Sarina,” she reveals.
The Path Forward
While the ‘A’ License equips players with foundational coaching skills, it is just the beginning of their managerial journey. FA coach educator Steve Greaves emphasizes that the course provides a framework, but true mastery comes with experience and continued learning.
Little remains optimistic about the future of female coaching. “Hopefully over time, and with the right opportunities for ex-players and other women who want to get into roles within football, that pool does grow,” she says. The players view their participation as a way to drive change and unlock potential across the women’s game.
As England’s top female footballers take their first steps into coaching, they carry the hopes of inspiring a new generation of managers. With dedication, unique perspectives, and the guidance of trailblazers like Hayes and Wiegman, they are poised to shape the future of the women’s game, on and off the pitch.
