You Could Become A (Good) Coach!!!

Within those months that I was loving football, I was breathing it people, an idea dawned upon me- if I were to go back to school, I'd want to study football. I didn't and I still don't have an idea exactly what I want to learn about it since I'm already pretty much self-sufficient around the four corners of my room, just surfing the net for the latest news, rumours, stuff. Click after click after click. Besides, no school even offers a football-related degree. I know of Sports Science, which is what a friend of mine is taking at the moment. At least that one's acceptable for it covers basically many, if not all, of the sports. But for something to go as specific as 'BS/MSc/PhD/whatnot Football this' or 'BS/MSc/PhD/whatnot Football that' just sounds ridiculous, if not so far-fetched. HOWEVER. The last laugh was on me when I stumbled upon a certain Certificate in Applied Management for FOOTBALL (CAM for Football) being offered by, guess what, University of Warwick's Business School. Do you hear me? It's not even some lame school, it's WARWICK. You don't believe me? Here:


Just to add to your interest, this is what some people had to say about the program (plus some of my comments perhaps):

I heard someone saying 'I didn't know what state my club was in' and I was thinking 'Well I would have done, because your balance sheet was used as an example on the course last week'.

Mark Hughes, Blackburn Manager --- (Currently a step away from the relegation zone)

To me the bottom line is the more education you can give yourself, and the more preparation you can do, the less chance of failing. That's my philosophy.

Stuart Pearce, Manchester City Manager --- (Currently 14th, not bad)

The Certificate in Applied Management should be compulsory for any aspiring manager and I couldn't have done this job without it.

Kevin Blackwell, Leeds United Manager --- (Sacked just last September)

The idea is to take good practice from business and other sports, things like dealing with the media, project management, organising finances, which make you more prepared. The course is the best one I've ever been on.

Adrian Boothroyd, Watford FC --- (Currently bottom of the table)

I did not post the comments to ruin the reputation of the program. The concept is lovely, really. But I just couldn't help noticing the common factor of those who commented. None from the coach/es of teams belonging in the upper half? Nevermind. The program sounds really good, if only I were a coach, even an amatuer one just so I could go give it a shot. Following is a snapshot of their course-specific application form:

Just imagine how beautiful it would be if you had the playing experience of say, ManUtd's Giggs or Scholes plus the coaching experiences of Fergie or Mourinho. (Though if you had such credentials, chances are you don't even need the program. You're better off teaching!!!)

Anyway, I thought Warwick was alone. Somewhere in Russia, one institution called Moscow University of Industry and Finance partnered with some Football Market Company to create what is known as Higher School of Football Management, which offers not one but FOUR different football programs.

-Master's in General and Strategic Management in Football Industry (2 years)
-Management in Football Industry Retraining Program (520 hours)
-Football Club Management Advanced Training Program (40 hours)
-Football Management (3.5 years)


Well, it's very impressive that football management's being given such focus. At least, we know there are some people who are concerned enough to want to be able to manage a team very well, ie., become good coaches, in the future. As for me, I'd continue dreaming that one day, there'll be something for me, a fan who doesn't even play and hasn't ever (and will never) played.