Master´s in Football Coaching and Management
The Master in Football Coaching and Management from the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea is a nine-month program. It is one of the most comprehensive programs for professionals in the football industry. Throughout this program, you will gain a 360º view of all the key areas necessary to enhance football players’ performance and, above all, to ensure the success of your projects.
What will you learn during the program?
- Apply the Spanish football training methodology, developed by some of the world’s most successful coaches and clubs.
- Improve your leadership and decision-making skills to optimize player performance and team cohesion.
- Analyze matches and training sessions using advanced tools and methodologies.
- Design and manage complete football projects, including talent identification and development.
Live the Real Madrid Experience. During the program, you will have the opportunity to choose an international trip, where you will get to know how other countries work and compare with the Spanish methodology (the field trip to Portugal is the most adapted one among the international experiences).
View the Spanish version of the master: Máster de Formación Permanente en Dirección de Fútbol
Private degree issued by Universidad Europea de Madrid
| Villaviciosa de Odón | Start: 20 oct. 2025 | Faculty of Medicine, Health and Sport | Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea |
A globally prestigious master's, designed for you
Shanghai Ranking 2024
Our Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences is ranked among the top 25 worldwide, according to the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities by the Shanghai Ranking 2024.
National Sports Award Copa Stadium
In 2018, Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid – Universidad Europea received the National Sports Award Copa Stadium for its contributions to education, research, and the professionalisation of sports on both national and international levels.
Metiner Kesapli
Assistant Team Manager at Istanbul BaŞakŞehir Football Club / International Master in Football Coaching and Management 2021/22
During the program, i had the opportunity to improve myself in two different sides of football. I gained unique experiences and knowledge from our elite coaches and teachers. Nowadays, i continue my professional career in a club competes in European leagues by applying what i learned in our master.
Matthias Sirucek
Head coach of RB Leipzig U17 Women / Alumni Academic year 2024/2025
The program provided me with international insights into football. Moreover, I see it as personal development to exchange ideas abroad and within an international Master’s program, to build a network, and to integrate various approaches into my own coaching philosophy.
Masters in Football Coaching study plan
The most successful training methodology in the last 20 years for international football is explained and taught by leading Spanish coaches and managers via a unique study plan.
Study plan structure
Module I. Modern Training Methodology
- Game Model Development
- Identification & Development of KPIs in High Performance
- Controlling and Evaluating Training Process
- Process Training. A Methodological Review
Module II. Technical Staff: Sciences Areas
- Conditioning area: Physical Conditions Optimization
- Health area: Preventing and Recovering Injury Processes
- Neuro-psychological area: Practical Strategies to Increase Performance
Module III. Technical Staff: New Technologies
- Game Analysis
- New Tools in High Performance Contexts
- Big Data & Artificial Intelligence
Module IV. Academy Programs: Talent Development
- Case Study: Best Academies in Spanish Professional Football
- Programming and Planning Football Training
- Becoming Professional: Needs in the Player Context
- Talent Development. Innate or the Result of a Process?
Module V. The Professional Football Club
- Professional Football Club Structure
- General Management: The Football Manager I
- Institutional Relations between Professional Football Entities
- Women’s Football
Module VI. The Club Management
- General Management: The Football Manager II
- Main Revenue Streams: Broadcasting, Match Day & Commercial
- The Marketing Plan: Sponsorship & Branding Strategy
- Communication Department, Press Conference, Social Media & Community Manager
Module VII. Creating a New Project: The Football Academy
- Planning: Successful Business Models and Strategic Objectives
- Organizing: Academy Structure, Key Departments & Career Profiles
- Leading: Directors and Team Leadership
- Controlling: Supervision, Assessment and KPIs
Module VIII. Products and Business Opportunities
- Case study: International Projects of Spanish Professional Clubs
- High Performance Centres
- Events, Clinics & Campus
- International Tournaments
Module IX. Sports law
- National and International Rules for Players Transfers
- National & International Financial Fair Play
- Contract Models and Commercial Relationships
- Players Transfers: Youth Players Rights
Module X. Final Project
What you will learn semester by semester
1
Semester I
Develop the skills to design, lead, and manage football projects at every level, from youth academies to professional teams. Gain a deep understanding of high-performance training, game analysis, and talent development while learning to make data-driven decisions to transform the future of football.
- Understand the foundations of football methodology, learning the Spanish model in depth while comparing it with top international approaches.
- Master advanced game analysis and performance tools, including match preparation, tactical planning, and player development strategies.
- Integrate sports science, health, and psychology to optimize players’ performance and well-being.
- Leverage technology and innovation, using Big Data and AI tools to elevate coaching and decision-making processes.
2
Semester II
Take your expertise beyond theory by immersing yourself in practical, international experiences that prepare you to become a football leader. Learn directly from Real Madrid professionals and other top clubs, gaining access to exclusive environments where elite football decisions are made.
- Design and manage complete football projects, from academy structures and scouting networks to club branding, marketing, and sponsorships.
- Understand the business and legal side of football, including financial fair play, contracts, transfer regulations, and player rights.
- Participate in exclusive field trips and masterclasses, including live training sessions and visits to world-class facilities like the Real Madrid City.
- Apply your knowledge through hands-on projects and a Final Master’s Project, demonstrating your ability to lead and innovate in the football industry.
Collaborating entities
After several editions of our Football masters, the School has the chance to offer their Students professionals coming from top tier football entities, all of them contribute with their knowledge and their professional to the professional and personal growth of our Students, in some of them you will even have the chance to enjoy professional internship periods, some of these companies are:
Admissions process
Admissions:
Recommended profile
The Master’s Degree is orientated to three kind of students:
- Football coaches and technical staff that work directly with the team (football players) on the field;
- Managers and owners that lead football projects (professional football clubs or new football projects: academies or clubs);
- Professionals working at football Insititutions. The candidate should demostrate its experience
Admissions requirements
For access to the Accredited Private Master`s Degree in Football Coaching and Sports Direction online it is necessary to fulfill one of the following REQUIREMENTS:
- To be in possession of a University Degree. In the case of being a graduate from a university outside of Spain, it is not necessary to have had the degree officially recognised by the Spanish Education Ministry.
- To have accredited professional experience related to the programme of interest. This guarantees the achievement of the abilities specified in the Profile for prospective students section. Some of the programmes offered at Universidad Europea do not allow access through professional experience. See the full list here.
- Higher Vocational Training Graduates who can accredit professional experience after completion of the internship.
In all cases, the University may limit access to certain degrees if a specific university degree has not been previously completed.
Admissions
Start your future at Universidad Europea
You can become a student at Universidad Europea in three easy steps.
1
Admission exams
Start your admission process by calling +34 911128850 or request information and our advisors will contact you.
2
Place reservation
Once you have been admitted, secure your place by paying the reservation fee.
3
Enrollment
Submit the required documents to formalise your enrollment.
Faculty
Gabriel Calderón Pellegrino.
Phd Sports Sciences & Physical Activity. Area: Performance. Doctor in Sports Science, UEFA Pro Licence Coach with an extensive international background as a professional coach, coach educator and talent development consultant for FIFA and DoublePass.
Álvaro Arbeloa
Master Co-director. Former Real Madrid C.F. player. Ambassador for Real Madrid C.F. Real Madrid C.F. Head Coach Real Madrid Castilla.
Our teaching staff
- Joaquín González Rodenas
Methodology Director of Real Madrid C.F. Academy. UEFA Pro Licence. - Ricardo da Silva
Conditioning Coach in Real Madrid Castilla. - Gabriel Calderón Pellegrino
Master Football Coaching & Management Director. Football Senior Consultant. UEFA Pro Licence. - Elena Isla
Head of Medical Services of Real Madrid C.F. - Juan Camilo
Real Madrid C.F. Chief Press Officer. - Javier Mallo
Conditioning Coach Rayo Vallecano. - Edu Covelo
Universitatea Craoiva Academy Technical Director (Romania). UEFA Pro Licence. - Isaac Arqués
Assistant coach Gyeognam FC (K-League 2 South Korea). UEFA Pro Licence. - José Collado
Head of International Sports Projects in Sevilla FC. - Rafa Ballester
Associate Professor and Researcher – Universidad Católica de Valencia. UEFA A Licence. - Mario Husillos
Chief Scout - Académico de Viseu (Portugal). - Hans Vander Elst / Stig Meylemans
Director of Football & Partner at DoublePass. UEFA Pro Licence. - Juan de Dios Román
Sports lawyer. Founding Partner at RH&C Sports Lawyers. - Juan Carlos Fociños
Director of the MBA is Sports Management of Real Madrid School. - Jaime Torcal
Technical Coordinator Women’s area at Real Madrid CF Academy. - Belén Lopez-Laguna
Exhibitions Manager in Real Madrid CF. - Mario Villate
Head of Football & International Development at BeSoccer Pro. UEFA Pro Licence. - Iñigo Valencia
Professional Football Coach. UEFA Pro Licence. - Alvaro Gomar
Tactical Analyst of Real Madrid C.F. - Oscar Michel
Tactical Analyst of Real Madrid C.F. - Pablo Gómez Revenga
Head of Camps & Clinics in Real Madrid Foundation. - Carlos Gustavo Albert García
Real Madrid Foundation. UEFA Pro Licence. - Alejandro Sánchez Vara
Director of Football in Al-Balad FC (Saudi Arabia). UEFA Pro Licence. - Tomás García Calvo
PhD in Sports Sciences & Professor in Sport Science Faculty. Universidad de Extremadura. - Jose Bonal
Sport Management Professor en Universidad Europea. - Saul Alcaráz
Phd Sports Psychology. Sports Psychology Teacher – UAB. - Juan de Dios Crespo
Sports Lawyer & Polotical Scientist St. John’s University. - Alfonso León
Partner at Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo. Disciplinary Panel member at Esports Integrity Coalition. - Juan Crespo Ruiz-Huerta
Sports Lawyer at Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo. - Natalia Simeone
Lawyer, Sports Agent, CAS Mediator, Member of the Conmebol Ethics Committee and Advisory Board Sportlaw Middle East. - Alex Katib
360 Player The All-In-One Sports Digital Platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a career in football management?
To begin a career in football management, you will need to have certain skills and attributes, both personal and professional.
On a personal level, you’ll need to have a passion for football. No matter what level you want to be a manager at - amateur, youth, or professional - the role is all-encompassing and time consuming. You need to be aware that football management is not a normal 9-5 job and is a demanding one. Therefore, passion for the game is key. Experience within the game as a player is also vital before moving into management.
On a professional level, there are many routes into football management, including coaching courses run by national associations. One option you may wish to consider is the master in Football Management at Real Madrid Graduate School - Universidad Europea. It is the first professional football programme that teaches the Spanish training methodology completely in English. The Spanish methodology is the most successful training methodology in the last 20 years for international football, including national teams and clubs, and is explained and taught by leading Spanish coaches and managers.
Is it hard to become a football coach?
Becoming a football coach requires skill and experience. At Real Madrid Graduate School - Universidad Europea, you’ll have access to a leading faculty as well as elite facilities to develop those requirements such as teamwork, leadership and communication.
Above all, you will require a deep love for the game and the players. Football management is a grueling career path filled with hard moments - as well as many happy ones - where only your passion for the sport will keep you going.
What skills do football coaches need?
Each coach will have their own management style, but it is widely agreed that there are certain skills and abilities in common that all football managers should possess. Theses include:
- Patience
- Communication
- Leadership
- Positivity
- Passion
- Perseverance
- Observation
- Imagination
Where is the best place to study football management?
Real Madrid Graduate School - Universidad Europea offers you one of the best places to study football management. As a student of the master in Football Management, you will develop your football coaching and management skills following the Spanish football training methodology and learn alongside leading professionals from first-tier football clubs in Spain.
Your Real Madrid experience will include being taught by some of the leading coaches in the game as well as having the chance to make connections with professionals at top clubs and other football institutions. You will have exclusive access to events such as White Week, a week-long event in which top players and coaches attend to hold workshops and round table discussions. In addition, with our network of partner institutions, you will be able to visit other sports institutions, such as other clubs around Europe, to see for yourself the different coaching methods and styles that exist.