British Council-Football
Transcript of the podcast
Interviewer: Paul, can you tell me how you got interested in being a football manager
Paul: Yes, well I started out as a professional footballer. I played for quite a few clubs in the lower leagues, and I even had a trial at Manchester United, although nothing came of it. In my last club, the manager encouraged me to do some coaching, which I really enjoyed. And that’s when I thought maybe I could make it as a manager
Interviewer: So what happened next
Paul: I started working for my coaching licence, and then I heard about a certificate in football management, and applied for a place on the course
Interviewer: I’ve always thought that most managers just learn on the job. Were you not tempted to just give it a go anyway
Paul: Not really. I’ve seen so many managers come and go and a lot of them, to be honest, weren’t really that good at their job. And I’m your typical footballer – I left school at ۱۶ so I haven’t had that much of an education. I didn’t feel confident that I could deal with things like finance and negotiating with people
Interviewer: And is that the kind of thing you learn on this course
Paul: Yes, it really covers everything you need to know: leadership skills, talking to the media, handling pressure, public speaking. I’ve got a lot more confidence and am really looking forward to my first managerial job
Interviewer: How does the course work in practice? I believe you’re working as well as studying
Paul: That’s right. After I got my coaching licence I got a job as a coach with a second division team. It’s no problem combining work with studying, though. In fact you need to be playing or working in football to get on the course. It fits in well because most of the course takes place during two summer schools, one at the beginning and one at the end of the course. There are a few workshops during the year, which we fit around our schedules. So really I’m learning on the job – I can put into practice what I’ve learnt
Interviewer: And finally, would you recommend this route into football management
Paul: Yes, most definitely. I think all managers, even existing ones, should do the course
Answers
a | ۱ |
b | ۲ |
b | ۳ |