Germany

League structure

Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, 3. Liga and Regionalliga, with a strong club-membership model and mandatory academy licensing for professional clubs.

Governing bodies and unions

DFB, DFL, VDV, Regional associations.

Coaching licences

The DFB runs a structured licence ladder, with the Fußball-Lehrer (Pro) licence at the Hennes-Weisweiler-Akademie the top rung. Entry to the top course is competitive and selective.

Qualification recognition in Germany

• UEFA Coaching Licences (C, B, A, Pro) (Strong)
• Goalkeeper Coaching Licences (Strong)
• Referee Course & Referee Grades (Strong)
• Football Management Certificate (UEFA CFM) (Strong)
• Executive Master for International Players (UEFA MIP) (Strong)
• Football Law Programme (Strong)
• International Master in Sport (FIFA Master) (Strong)
• Football Agent Licence (FIFA Agent Exam) (Strong)
• Sport or Football Business Degree (Strong)
• Sports Law Qualifications (LLM or Solicitor/Bar with Specialism) (Strong)
• Accounting Qualification (ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA or local equivalent) (Strong)
• Sport & Exercise Science Degree (Strong)
• Physiotherapy Degree & Professional Registration (Strong)
• Medical Degree & Sport and Exercise Medicine Training (Strong)
• Sport Psychology Training & Registration (Strong)
• Sports Nutrition Qualifications & Registration (Strong)
• Performance Analysis or Sports Analytics Degree (Strong)
• Data & Analytics Courses (SQL, Python, Machine Learning) (Strong)
• Journalism Qualification (NCTJ, broadcast or degree) (Strong)
• Marketing & Digital Marketing Qualifications (Strong)
• Groundsmanship & Turf Management Qualifications (Strong)
• Teaching Qualification (QTS or equivalent) (Strong)
• Language Certificates (Strong)
• Degree in Any Subject (Strong)
• Confederation Coaching Licences (AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, Concacaf) (Recognised)
• Strength & Conditioning Accreditation (Recognised)
• Sports Massage & Soft-Tissue Therapy Courses (Recognised)
• Introductory Coaching Award (FA Level 1) (Limited)
• Youth Coaching Award (FA Youth Award) (Limited)
• Safeguarding Children Training & Background Check (Limited)
• First Aid in Football (Limited)
• Sports Therapy Degree (Limited)
• Scouting & Talent Identification Courses (Limited)
• Sports Ground Safety Officer Qualifications (Limited)
• Spectator Safety Steward Training (Limited)
• Vocational Sport Qualification (BTEC or equivalent) (Limited)
• Coaching or Sport Apprenticeship (Limited)

Roles and indicative pay

Illustrative estimates in EUR. Many roles are unpaid or part-time at grassroots level.