“I’ve always wanted to study in Spain, given the country’s passion for football and widespread fascination with the sport,” said Valentin Caudron, athletic trainer for Le Havre Athletic Club and alumnus of the Master in Soccer Coaching from Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea.
“Initially my plan was to continue studying Sports Science, but suddenly another Master’s degree captured by attention.” It was then that Caudron started his journey at the school. “I rearranged all of my plans to enroll in the Master in Soccer Coaching, which was really appealing and included a trip to the Netherlands. From that moment on, I wanted to be a part of this institution. The name “Real Madrid” attracts a lot of dreamers and I knew that I was going to be working with other students and professionals with a great deal of talent, motivation, and desire to grow”.
The energy from the students, speakers, and faculty, especially "David Viejo Romero, the graduate program director, Carlos Drechsler, and Stephanie Rodríguez Besteiro", as well as the "know-how of internationally renowned professionals in the world of football” are a few of the added values the trainer underscored. “They all shared their experience and way of working in the field with us. Every step I took, I felt how much I was growing, both professionally and personally as a member of the 10th class in the program. I would recommend this program to anyone with the same passion for learning and delving into the careers available in football, not only because it includes farm team management, but because it also sheds light on all of the various professions out there in this industry”. In short, what this program meant to Caudron was "finding his career trajectory within this great sport”.
Universidad Europea became his home away from home: “It’s a great place with the best possible conditions to allow you to get comfortable and study. Its sports facilities, sports teams, library, and location are huge pluses”. It’s a place where exchanges with international students “are exciting and offer everyone the chance to learn about different cultures. My network of classmates from around the world and the trip to the Netherlands will stay with me as unforgettable memories”.
“The internships offered by the program afforded me the opportunity to get to where I am right now. I started at the performance center of the French Football Federation in the Occitanie Pôle Espoir Castelmaurou region. First I managed players under 14 and 15, and then, thanks to the program director, I worked as a physical trainer for the Youth C team for GETAFE C.F.". That same season, Le Havre AC started looking for a physical trainer for its farm team and Caudron didn’t hesitate. “After two interviews, we shared a clear outlook on the physical development of the players based on the club’s objectives and the farm teams’ playing model”, he said.
To conclude, what do you have to you say to students who are finishing up their studies at the Real Madrid Graduate School - Universidad Europea? “If I could give just one piece of advice it would be to make the most of the campus and all of its resources because they are top-notch. I’d also recommend they get in touch with the program’s alumni because they will always be happy to share their outlook on the ever-evolving world of sports”.
“That's everything I wanted to say, along with a big thank you to all of the university’s employees, the school’s academic directors, and David Viejo, the director of the Master in Soccer Coaching”, said the former student who made his dream own came true.