The latest cohort of UEFA Pro Licence candidates have now begun their programme with the Scottish FA Coach Education Department, with 21 coaches attending the introductory meetings at Barclays Hampden.
The intake contains several Scotland internationals, as well as a number of current Head Coaches from both the men’s and women’s game.
In addition to Head Coaches, the varied group also contains Assistant and First Team Coaches, Technical Directors, as well as experts in Analysis, Goalkeeping Coaching and Set Pieces.
The UEFA Pro Licence is the highest level of coaching qualification in Europe, and it is a requirement for managing clubs in UEFA’s competitions.
The programme developments skills in leadership, analysis, squad management, player development, media relations and wider responsibilities of a head coach.
The previous group graduated earlier this year, with the Scottish FA’s Chief Football Officer, Craig Mulholland and Scotland assistant coach Cameron Campbell among their number.
Former Hibernian manager David Gray also completed the last programme, as did former Scotland international Scott Brown.
Jamie Murphy, Leanne Ross and Joelle Murray, who have all represented Scotland as well, are part of the current group, looking to compliment their current roles at Ayr United, Glasgow City and Hibernian Women, respectively.
Andy Thomson, Head Coach of Murray’s rivals, Hearts Women, is also on the course, as is Ewan Sharp, who is currently Assistant Coach with the Canadian Men’s National Team.
There is significant international representation on the Pro Licence as well, with Ian Coll, Head of Performance at Sparta Praha, Goncalo Villas-Boas, Swansea City Assistant Coach and Chris Loxston, Technical Director at San Diego Wave among the number.
Ritchie Wilson, Head of Coach Education and Development, Scottish FA: “We’re delighted to begin this next UEFA Pro-Licence journey with a new group of candidates who have demonstrated a real ambition to continue developing within the game.
“Several graduates from this programme in the previous editions are now working at the very highest level of the game and I have no doubt that there are those in this new intake who can achieve the same success.
“The demand for the programme has been immensely encouraging, and we are excited to work with this group over the next two years as they build on their experiences and continue to progress their careers.”
The full list of UEFA Pro Licence candidates is listed below.
Adam Pengelly, Assistant Manager, West Ham United Women & Assistant Coach, Scotland Women Gary Miller, Assistant Manager, Greenock Morton Pierre Blois, First Team Coach, Valenciennes Joelle Murray, Head Coach, Hibernian Women Mark McKenna, Performance Analysis Manager, Scottish FA Goncalo Villas-Boas, Assistant Coach, Swansea City Liam Craig, unattached Michael McIndoe, Edinburgh City Manager Liam Ross, Set Piece Coach, Heart of Midlothian Anton McElhone, Head of Performance, Huddersfield Town Sean Crighton, Head Coach, Queens Park Graeme Smith, Head of Goalkeeping, Scottish FA Angie Hind, Women’s Performance Pathway & Under-23 Women’s Coach, Scottish FA Chris Loxston, Technical Director, San Diego Wave Jamie Murphy, Player / Coach, Ayr United Kevin McDonald, Assistant Coach, Dunfermline Athletic Ian Coll, Head of Performance, Sparta Praha Mark Leyland, Director of Global Coaching, City Football Group Ewan Sharp, Assistant Coach, Canada Men’s National Team Leanne Ross, Head Coach, Glasgow City Andrew Thomson, Head Coach, Heart of Midlothian Women
