Region
Spain
Coaching is a regulated, course-based profession, so formal titles matter more than in many countries. Clubs are known for youth development and for analysts and recruiters who move abroad.
EURcurrency
80%pay level vs UK, illustrative
4key bodies
League structure
LaLiga EA Sports and LaLiga Hypermotion, then Primera Federación and regional leagues. Strong cantera (academy) culture.
Governing bodies and unions
RFEF, LaLiga, Liga F, AFE (players' union).
Coaching licences
Spanish coaching titles are state-recognised qualifications with several levels, with the top level (Nivel 3, often called Entrenador Nacional) matching the UEFA Pro licence.
Qualification recognition in Spain
- 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.
| Role | Qualification | Indicative pay |
|---|---|---|
| Playing & Player Development | ||
| Academy Scholar | Not needed | €2.8K to €19K |
| Semi-Professional Player | Not needed | €1.9K to €23K |
| Professional Player (Lower Leagues) | Not needed | €23K to €110K |
| Top-Flight Professional Player | Not needed | €140K to €2.3M |
| Coaching & Technical | ||
| Grassroots Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €7.5K |
| Community Football Coach | Strongly preferred | €15K to €26K |
| Academy Coach | Required | €21K to €51K |
| Academy Head of Coaching | Required | €51K to €120K |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Strongly preferred | €21K to €110K |
| Set-Piece Coach | Helpful | €33K to €230K |
| Assistant Coach | Required | €37K to €370K |
| Head Coach / Manager | Required | €56K to €3.3M |
| National Team Coach | Required | €75K to €1.4M |
| Medical, Performance & Sports Science | ||
| Sports Therapist | Strongly preferred | €21K to €42K |
| Club Physiotherapist | Required | €30K to €100K |
| Head of Medical | Required | €61K to €210K |
| Club Doctor | Required | €66K to €230K |
| Sport Scientist | Strongly preferred | €21K to €47K |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Strongly preferred | €26K to €89K |
| Head of Performance | Strongly preferred | €61K to €210K |
| Sport Psychologist | Required | €30K to €100K |
| Performance Nutritionist | Strongly preferred | €28K to €84K |
| Soft-Tissue Therapist (Masseur) | Helpful | €17K to €36K |
| Analysis & Data | ||
| Match Data Collector | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €11K |
| Performance Analyst (Academy / Lower League) | Helpful | €17K to €34K |
| First-Team Performance Analyst | Helpful | €28K to €70K |
| Opposition Analyst | Helpful | €26K to €66K |
| Football Data Scientist | Strongly preferred | €37K to €94K |
| Football Data Engineer | Strongly preferred | €42K to €100K |
| Head of Analysis | Helpful | €56K to €160K |
| Football Trader / Odds Compiler | Strongly preferred | €26K to €75K |
| Scouting & Recruitment | ||
| Match Scout (Part-Time) | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €13K |
| Academy / Youth Scout | Strongly preferred | €15K to €36K |
| Professional Scout | Not needed | €26K to €70K |
| Recruitment Analyst | Helpful | €24K to €56K |
| International Scout | Not needed | €19K to €66K |
| Loan & Player Pathway Manager | Helpful | €30K to €75K |
| Chief Scout | Not needed | €51K to €150K |
| Head of Recruitment | Not needed | €61K to €210K |
| Sporting Direction & Football Management | ||
| Football Administrator | Not needed | €17K to €26K |
| Player Liaison / Player Care Officer | Not needed | €21K to €42K |
| Club Interpreter / Translator | Not needed | €21K to €51K |
| Player Registration & Compliance Officer | Strongly preferred | €22K to €51K |
| Academy Education & Welfare Officer | Required | €22K to €45K |
| Football Operations Manager | Helpful | €33K to €89K |
| Academy Manager | Required | €56K to €160K |
| Technical Director | Strongly preferred | €75K to €330K |
| Sporting Director / Director of Football | Strongly preferred | €84K to €1.1M |
| Agents & Player Representation | ||
| Agency Assistant / Intern | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €22K |
| Licensed Football Agent | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €280K |
| Senior Agent / Head of Representation | Required | €56K to €2.8M |
| Agency Founder / Director | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €4.7M |
| Image Rights & Brand Manager | Helpful | €28K to €100K |
| Match Officials | ||
| Youth Referee | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €2.8K |
| Grassroots Referee | Required | €940 to €8.4K |
| Semi-Professional / National-List Referee | Required | €4.7K to €26K |
| Professional Referee | Required | €47K to €150K |
| Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Official | Required | €42K to €130K |
| Referee Assessor / Observer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €19K |
| Referee Development Officer | Strongly preferred | €24K to €45K |
| Stadium, Pitch & Matchday Operations | ||
| Match-Day Steward | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €11K |
| Kit Manager | Not needed | €17K to €42K |
| Groundsperson | Helpful | €17K to €32K |
| Head Groundsperson / Pitch Manager | Strongly preferred | €36K to €100K |
| Travel & Logistics Coordinator | Not needed | €21K to €39K |
| Ticketing Manager | Helpful | €26K to €66K |
| Supporter Liaison Officer | Not needed | €19K to €37K |
| Safety Officer | Required | €33K to €84K |
| Stadium Operations Manager | Helpful | €33K to €84K |
| Commercial, Marketing & Fan Engagement | ||
| Commercial Assistant | Helpful | €17K to €26K |
| Hospitality & Ticket Sales Executive | Not needed | €21K to €47K |
| Sponsorship Sales Executive | Helpful | €22K to €51K |
| Social Media & Digital Content Manager | Not needed | €21K to €56K |
| Fan Engagement Manager | Helpful | €30K to €66K |
| Merchandise & Retail Manager | Helpful | €26K to €61K |
| Marketing Manager | Helpful | €30K to €70K |
| Partnerships Manager | Helpful | €36K to €80K |
| Head of Commercial / Commercial Director | Helpful | €66K to €230K |
| Media, Content & Broadcasting | ||
| Football Content Creator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €56K |
| Club Press & Communications Officer | Helpful | €22K to €47K |
| Club Video Producer / Editor | Not needed | €21K to €45K |
| Football Photographer | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €42K |
| Local Football Reporter | Strongly preferred | €19K to €32K |
| Football Journalist | Strongly preferred | €26K to €70K |
| Broadcast Producer | Helpful | €28K to €75K |
| Match Commentator | Not needed | €9.4K to €230K |
| Pundit / Analyst (Media) | Not needed | €4.7K to €470K |
| Governance, Legal & Finance | ||
| Club Accountant | Strongly preferred | €24K to €56K |
| Club Finance Director | Required | €75K to €280K |
| Football Lawyer | Required | €42K to €210K |
| Football Compliance & Regulation Officer | Strongly preferred | €36K to €89K |
| Safeguarding Officer | Required | €26K to €56K |
| Club Secretary / Administrator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €37K |
| Football Governance & Regulatory Officer | Strongly preferred | €33K to €80K |
| Club Chief Executive | Not needed | €94K to €1.4M |
| Community, Grassroots & Education | ||
| Club Welfare Officer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €2.8K |
| Grassroots League Secretary | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €11K |
| Community Foundation Officer | Strongly preferred | €19K to €32K |
| Disability & Inclusion Football Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €26K |
| Football Development Officer | Strongly preferred | €23K to €42K |
| Physical Education Teacher (Football Focus) | Required | €26K to €49K |
| Coach Educator / Tutor | Required | €28K to €80K |
| Club Foundation Director | Helpful | €37K to €84K |
| Business, Enterprise & Football Tech | ||
| Coaching Camp / Academy Owner | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €94K |
| Five-a-Side Venue Manager | Not needed | €22K to €51K |
| Football Tech Founder | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €190K |
| Football Apparel & Equipment Entrepreneur | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €110K |
| Football Tech Product Manager | Strongly preferred | €42K to €98K |
| Football Data Account Manager | Helpful | €24K to €56K |
| Football Travel & Experience Operator | Not needed | €19K to €66K |