Under 16 Head Coach

Organisation

Nottingham Forest Football Club

Salary

Please state your expectations within your application

Location

Nottingham

Contract type

Permanent (Full time)

Closing date

10 August 2026

Job Description

Job Title:
Reporting To:
Role Overview
Under 16 Head Coach
Youth Development Phase Manager
The Under 16 Head Coach is responsible for leading the coaching, performance and development
programme for Nottingham Forest's Under 16 squad, creating an outstanding learning environment
that prepares players for the successful transition into full-time football within the Professional
Development Phase.
The post-holder will lead the planning, delivery and review of all aspects of the Under 16 football
programme, ensuring coaching sessions, match preparation, fixtures and individual player
development are fully aligned to the Club's coaching philosophy, playing identity and long-term player
development strategy.
As the final age group within the Youth Development Phase, the role plays a critical part in preparing
players for a scholarship programme and the demands of the Professional Development Phase.
Working under the leadership of the Youth Development Phase Manager, the successful candidate
will work in close collaboration with the Professional Development Phase Manager & Under 18 Head
Coach to ensure every player's transition is planned, purposeful and centred around their individual
development needs.
The role will also maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the Head of Football Development,
ensuring player progression, succession planning and transition decisions remain aligned to the
Academy's overall football strategy.
The successful candidate will create a demanding, innovative and player-centred environment that
develops technically excellent, tactically intelligent and psychologically resilient players capable of
thriving within Nottingham Forest's full-time development programme.
Key Responsibilities
Under 16 Head Coach Responsibilities
• Lead and manage all aspects of the Under 16 football programme, ensuring the highest
standards of coaching, preparation, performance and player development.
• Plan, prepare, deliver and review all Under 16 training sessions, fixtures and competitive
matches in line with the Club's coaching philosophy, playing identity and Academy
methodology. Inclusive of training sessions on all three of our training models.
• Create an innovative, demanding and enjoyable learning environment where players are
challenged daily to maximise their long-term potential.
• Develop players technically, tactically, physically, psychologically and socially in preparation
for scholarship and full-time football.
• Lead all Under 16 matchday activity, including squad selection, tactical preparation, in-game
coaching and post-match review.
• Embed the Academy's coaching methodology and playing principles into every aspect of the
Under 16 programme.
• Prepare players to meet the behavioural, physical, tactical and psychological expectations of
the Professional Development Phase.
• Foster professionalism, resilience, independence and accountability as players prepare to
enter the next stage of the Academy pathway.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as required by the Head of Academy,
demonstrating progress and outcomes against the Academy strategy.
• Ensure all information relating to the individual players performance clock and relevant team
information is up to date daily on the Football iP platform.
• Contribute to the Academy audit preparation ensuring all documentation is recorded and
accurately keep up to date on a daily basis.
Player Development & Transition
• Take a leading role in preparing players for transition into the Professional Development
Phase, ensuring every player is equipped to thrive within a full-time training environment.
• Work closely with the Youth Development Phase Manager to review player progress, establish
development priorities and agree appropriate player movement.
• Develop an outstanding working relationship with the Professional Development Phase
Manager & Under 18 Head Coach to ensure seamless transition of players into the Under 18
programme.
• Collaboratively identify players who are ready to experience the Professional Development
Phase through selected training sessions, fixtures and specialist development opportunities.
• Contribute to scholarship recommendations, transition planning and succession planning
across both phases.
• Ensure all player movement between the Under 16s and Under 18s is supported by a clear
developmental rationale and aligned to the player's Individual Development Plan.
• Maintain regular dialogue with the Head of Football Development regarding players
approaching scholarship, ensuring alignment with the Academy's long-term player pathway.
• Liaise with the Head of Academy on recommendations for player scholarship offers through a
strategic process of selection.
• Assist the Youth Development Phase Recruitment and Retention Manager and the PDP
Emerging Talent Recruitment Manager on ensuring our trial process is full adhered to with
players attending on trial.
Individual Player Development
• Deliver an individualised coaching programme that maximises every player's technical,
tactical, physical and psychological development.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure Individual Development Plans
are aligned across football, physical performance, psychology, education and medical
services.
• Monitor player progress through observation, objective performance data, analysis and
regular player reviews.
• Deliver position-specific coaching and specialist development sessions where appropriate.
• Ensure every player understands their development objectives and takes ownership of their
individual learning journey.
Collaboration & Football Integration
• Work closely with the Youth Development Phase Manager to ensure alignment across all
aspects of the Youth Development Phase curriculum.
• Build a highly collaborative relationship with the Professional Development Phase Manager &
Under 18 Head Coach to ensure continuity of coaching methodology, playing philosophy and
transition planning.
• Maintain strong communication with the Head of Academy and Head of Football
Development to support succession planning and long-term player development across the
Academy.
• Support the wider Academy coaching programme by contributing across age groups where
appropriate through but not limited to delivering sessions.
• Build positive relationships across the multidisciplinary team to ensure players receive an
integrated, holistic development programme.
• Attend and contribute positively to Phase Meetings and multidisciplinary discussions as
required.
• Ensure players, parents and staff consistently uphold the Club's values and Codes of Conduct.
• Create an environment where players take ownership of their development and embrace
challenge as an opportunity to improve.
Administration & Compliance
• Ensure all coaching administration, Individual Development Plans, Performance Clocks, player
reports and YD Rules documentation are completed accurately and within required
timescales.
• Maintain compliance with Premier League, Football Association and Club policies, procedures
and audit requirements being the lead on CASA for the Audit process.
• Ensure all player records, educational documentation and development reports are
maintained to the highest professional standards.
• Undertake any additional duties reasonably requested by the Head of Academy or Head of
Football Development.
• Completes administration relevant to the job as required by the Head of Football
Development and Head of Academy, meeting the requirements of the Premier League Youth
Development rules and our own internal platforms.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
• UEFA A Licence.
• FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Demonstrable experience coaching in an elite Youth Development Phase.
• Excellent understanding of long-term player development, a genuine youth developer and
transition into senior football.
• Outstanding knowledge of coaching methodology, player development and elite performance
environments.
• Excellent communication, organisation and presentation skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across football and multidisciplinary departments.
• High-level IT, planning and performance analysis skills.
• BFAS First Aid qualification.
• Enhanced DBS clearance.
Desirable
• UEFA Pro Licence (or working towards).
• Professional playing experience.
• Experience within a Category One Academy.
• Additional qualifications in Sports Science, Performance Analysis, Psychology or Education.

How to apply

https://careers.nottinghamforest.co.uk/jobs/8156002-under-16-head-coach

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