As of 2022, French club Stade de Reims paid a fine of €25,000 for each match as then head coach Will Still took charge, as the Englishman did not have his UEFA pro licence, a mandatory qualification needed to coach in Ligue 1. Despite the fines, Reims were happy to pay because Still went on a remarkable 17-game unbeaten streak in Ligue 1, which was a club record.
The fines eventually stopped, when he began working towards his UEFA Pro Licence, becoming a very popular figure in the league for his achievements before leaving in 2024, during which he managed more than 60 games in all competitions. He spent a year and seven months at the club, racking up fines of up to €585,000.
Currently, AS Monaco are in a similar situation as they are paying the same €25,000 for every single match that Sébastien Pocognoli coaches. They have already racked up €425,000 in fines since October 2025, and if Pocognoli stays until the end of the season, that number will hit more than €700,000. The reason comes down to Pocognoli not having the required coaching licence.
Although the former Royal Union Saint Gilloise coach is still studying for it and is expected to complete it by summer 2026, Monaco decided they could not wait, so they are paying the price.
What makes the situation even more baffling is that Pocognoli’s spell in charge has hardly justified the expense. In 14 league matches, he has managed just four wins – a 28% win rate, naturally raising questions about why the club continues absorbing heavy fines instead of appointing a more experienced, fully qualified coach.
The story of Pocognoli and Will Still shows just how seriously European football takes coaching qualifications. And it raises an important question for aspiring coaches: What does it actually take to reach the level of the UEFA Pro Licence? What are the costs, the timelines, and the barriers.
Navigating the UEFA Pro Licence: Costs, Requirements, and Global Access
Becoming a UEFA-certified coach means going through a highly structured pathway that ends with the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest qualification in European football. This Licence is mandatory for people who want to manage teams in elite leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, or UEFA competitions.
This learning system is open to international coaches from around the world, though depending on where you come from, you will face challenges like visas, relocation for in-person modules, and opportunities to broaden their résumé and build relevant experience on the continent to qualify for the final UEFA Pro Licence certificate.
The price of UEFA coaching licences differs significantly from one country to another. Since each nation’s football association organises and administers the courses, the fees are influenced by local economic conditions, available facilities, and the level of demand.
Wealthier federations such as the Football Association in England or the German Football Association, tend to charge more for the UEFA Pro Licence because they offer access to elite instructors, club placements, and top-tier resources.
However, more affordable pathways can be found in countries like Lithuania, Latvia, or Spain. That said, international or non-EU applicants often pay an additional 20-50% to cover administrative costs and extra support.
The Road to the UEFA Pro Licence
UEFA C Licence
You would need 60 to 120 hours of classes over six to 12 weeks for this. The cost ranges from €2,000 to €5,000 depending on location (higher in wealthier countries, lower in places like Lithuania). This is the entry level and covers grassroots basics. It permits coaches to work with children and in grassroots football.
To get into the program, you do not need prior coaching knowledge or experience to start the C Licence, as it is the first step for anyone entering the UEFA coaching pathway.
At this stage, you focus on the core principles of coaching – how to plan and deliver training sessions, communicate effectively with young players, and structure a season. It is designed to build a solid foundation in the basic elements of coaching.
UEFA B Licence
This stage typically requires 120 to 180 hours of coursework completed over three to six months, with fees ranging from €3,000 to €8,000. It is primarily geared toward the amateur level. However, enrollment does not happen immediately as candidates must first complete six to twelve months of practical coaching experience after earning the C Licence before moving to the B Licence.
Progressing through the UEFA coaching ladder is not automatic. It is impossible to move from one level to the next without demonstrating that you can implement what you’ve learned in real coaching environments before advancing.
This is why practical experience is so important. For instance, Rúben Amorim spent time gaining hands-on exposure within professional setups earlier in his career, working in environments led by figures like José Mourinho. While it might not be the same path for every aspiring coach, the principle remains the same: experience is non-negotiable.
It also explains why many players take on player-coach roles toward the end of their careers – to accumulate the required practical hours and position themselves for a smoother transition into full-time management after retirement.
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UEFA A Licence
You would need 180 to 240 hours of classes over six to 12 months for this program. It costs between €5,000 and €12,000. This is for professional-level coaching. But again, you cannot start this until you have one to two years of experience following the B Licence. At this stage, you would be expected to be coaching at a “semi-professional” or academy level.
The A Licence opens professional environments and prepares you for working alongside professional players in recognised leagues. At this point, you would be expected to understand not just tactics but psychology, nutrition, recovery, data analysis — everything.
UEFA Pro Licence
The ultimate goal. It requires 360+ hours over 12 to 18 months and costs about €10,000 to €20,000 to complete. This is the highest qualification. For example, Lithuania charges €10,000 for citizens and €20,000 for international applicants, while England charges around €13,700 for citizens.
But at this point, the real barrier is not the money. It is the experience requirement. An aspiring coach would need 2-3 years of high-performance coaching post-A Licence, such as managing reserves or coaching in a second-tier league. It includes modules, club visits to top clubs across Europe, and assessments where you would present tactical analyses and coaching philosophies to panels of experienced coaches and former players.
In reality, this is where many get stuck, because breaking into professional football to gain that experience is not easy if you are coming from outside Europe. You would need a strong network, opportunities, and results.
The Price of Getting to the Pinnacle of Coaching Excellence
Former Bayern Munich centre-back Dante, who recently got his UEFA Pro Licence in a recent interview, spoke of how important it is for him to complete the course. He said “This is an important step for me. I’ve always wanted to understand the game in its entirety, not just as a player,” Dante commented. “This course allowed me to take a step back, to keep learning and, above all, to prepare myself to pass on what football has given to me.”
When you add up the cumulative costs from the C Licence all the way to the Pro Licence, you would be looking at €20,000 to €40,000 or more. Excluding travel, accommodation, and living expenses during the courses, which can add thousands more depending on where you are coming from.
Reaching the UEFA Pro Licence typically takes five to seven years or more, combining structured coursework with mandatory hands-on coaching experience to ensure practical application. It is not a rushed project, instead it is a long-term commitment, which is why many current players have begun enrolling in these courses while still active, preparing for a smooth transition once they retire.
Ex-Players Who Recently Completed Their Uefa Pro Licence
Manchester City legend Yaya Toure officially received his UEFA Pro Licence in January 2025 after training with the Welsh Football Trust (FAW – Football Association of Wales).
A host of former Premier League stars have also completed the UEFA Pro Licence and are now able to manage clubs at the highest levels of professional football, including the Premier League and UEFA competitions. They include Phil Jones, Yohan Cabaye, Gaël Clichy, Jack Wilshere, Kevin de Bruyne, and Michael Essien.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 01.11.2025
