Region
France
Known for producing players, so scouting and academy roles are central. A large export market for talent makes recruitment, agent and contract skills valuable.
EURcurrency
85%pay level vs UK, illustrative
3key bodies
League structure
Ligue 1, Ligue 2, National and regional leagues, with a highly developed training-centre system.
Governing bodies and unions
FFF, LFP, UNFP (players' union).
Coaching licences
French coaching diplomas run from the club-level BMF through the BEF to the BEPF, matching UEFA B, A and Pro. Clubs' training centres (centres de formation) are state-approved.
Qualification recognition in France
- 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)
- 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)
- 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 Nutrition Qualifications & Registration (Recognised)
- Sports Massage & Soft-Tissue Therapy Courses (Recognised)
- Groundsmanship & Turf Management Qualifications (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 | €3K to €20K |
| Semi-Professional Player | Not needed | €2K to €25K |
| Professional Player (Lower Leagues) | Not needed | €25K to €120K |
| Top-Flight Professional Player | Not needed | €150K to €2.5M |
| Coaching & Technical | ||
| Grassroots Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €8K |
| Community Football Coach | Strongly preferred | €16K to €28K |
| Academy Coach | Required | €22K to €55K |
| Academy Head of Coaching | Required | €55K to €130K |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Strongly preferred | €22K to €120K |
| Set-Piece Coach | Helpful | €35K to €250K |
| Assistant Coach | Required | €40K to €400K |
| Head Coach / Manager | Required | €60K to €3.5M |
| National Team Coach | Required | €80K to €1.5M |
| Medical, Performance & Sports Science | ||
| Sports Therapist | Strongly preferred | €22K to €45K |
| Club Physiotherapist | Required | €32K to €110K |
| Head of Medical | Required | €65K to €220K |
| Club Doctor | Required | €70K to €250K |
| Sport Scientist | Strongly preferred | €22K to €50K |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Strongly preferred | €28K to €94K |
| Head of Performance | Strongly preferred | €65K to €220K |
| Sport Psychologist | Required | €32K to €110K |
| Performance Nutritionist | Strongly preferred | €30K to €90K |
| Soft-Tissue Therapist (Masseur) | Helpful | €18K to €38K |
| Analysis & Data | ||
| Match Data Collector | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €12K |
| Performance Analyst (Academy / Lower League) | Helpful | €18K to €36K |
| First-Team Performance Analyst | Helpful | €30K to €75K |
| Opposition Analyst | Helpful | €28K to €70K |
| Football Data Scientist | Strongly preferred | €40K to €99K |
| Football Data Engineer | Strongly preferred | €45K to €110K |
| Head of Analysis | Helpful | €60K to €170K |
| Football Trader / Odds Compiler | Strongly preferred | €28K to €80K |
| Scouting & Recruitment | ||
| Match Scout (Part-Time) | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €14K |
| Academy / Youth Scout | Strongly preferred | €16K to €38K |
| Professional Scout | Not needed | €28K to €75K |
| Recruitment Analyst | Helpful | €26K to €60K |
| International Scout | Not needed | €20K to €70K |
| Loan & Player Pathway Manager | Helpful | €32K to €80K |
| Chief Scout | Not needed | €55K to €160K |
| Head of Recruitment | Not needed | €65K to €220K |
| Sporting Direction & Football Management | ||
| Football Administrator | Not needed | €18K to €28K |
| Player Liaison / Player Care Officer | Not needed | €22K to €45K |
| Club Interpreter / Translator | Not needed | €22K to €55K |
| Player Registration & Compliance Officer | Strongly preferred | €24K to €55K |
| Academy Education & Welfare Officer | Required | €24K to €48K |
| Football Operations Manager | Helpful | €35K to €94K |
| Academy Manager | Required | €60K to €170K |
| Technical Director | Strongly preferred | €80K to €350K |
| Sporting Director / Director of Football | Strongly preferred | €90K to €1.2M |
| Agents & Player Representation | ||
| Agency Assistant / Intern | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €24K |
| Licensed Football Agent | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €300K |
| Senior Agent / Head of Representation | Required | €60K to €3M |
| Agency Founder / Director | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €5M |
| Image Rights & Brand Manager | Helpful | €30K to €110K |
| Match Officials | ||
| Youth Referee | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €3K |
| Grassroots Referee | Required | €990 to €9K |
| Semi-Professional / National-List Referee | Required | €5K to €28K |
| Professional Referee | Required | €50K to €160K |
| Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Official | Required | €45K to €140K |
| Referee Assessor / Observer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €20K |
| Referee Development Officer | Strongly preferred | €26K to €48K |
| Stadium, Pitch & Matchday Operations | ||
| Match-Day Steward | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €12K |
| Kit Manager | Not needed | €18K to €45K |
| Groundsperson | Helpful | €18K to €34K |
| Head Groundsperson / Pitch Manager | Strongly preferred | €38K to €110K |
| Travel & Logistics Coordinator | Not needed | €22K to €42K |
| Ticketing Manager | Helpful | €28K to €70K |
| Supporter Liaison Officer | Not needed | €20K to €40K |
| Safety Officer | Required | €35K to €90K |
| Stadium Operations Manager | Helpful | €35K to €90K |
| Commercial, Marketing & Fan Engagement | ||
| Commercial Assistant | Helpful | €18K to €28K |
| Hospitality & Ticket Sales Executive | Not needed | €22K to €50K |
| Sponsorship Sales Executive | Helpful | €24K to €55K |
| Social Media & Digital Content Manager | Not needed | €22K to €60K |
| Fan Engagement Manager | Helpful | €32K to €70K |
| Merchandise & Retail Manager | Helpful | €28K to €65K |
| Marketing Manager | Helpful | €32K to €75K |
| Partnerships Manager | Helpful | €38K to €85K |
| Head of Commercial / Commercial Director | Helpful | €70K to €250K |
| Media, Content & Broadcasting | ||
| Football Content Creator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €60K |
| Club Press & Communications Officer | Helpful | €24K to €50K |
| Club Video Producer / Editor | Not needed | €22K to €48K |
| Football Photographer | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €45K |
| Local Football Reporter | Strongly preferred | €20K to €34K |
| Football Journalist | Strongly preferred | €28K to €75K |
| Broadcast Producer | Helpful | €30K to €80K |
| Match Commentator | Not needed | €9.9K to €250K |
| Pundit / Analyst (Media) | Not needed | €5K to €500K |
| Governance, Legal & Finance | ||
| Club Accountant | Strongly preferred | €26K to €60K |
| Club Finance Director | Required | €80K to €300K |
| Football Lawyer | Required | €45K to €220K |
| Football Compliance & Regulation Officer | Strongly preferred | €38K to €94K |
| Safeguarding Officer | Required | €28K to €60K |
| Club Secretary / Administrator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €40K |
| Football Governance & Regulatory Officer | Strongly preferred | €35K to €85K |
| Club Chief Executive | Not needed | €99K to €1.5M |
| Community, Grassroots & Education | ||
| Club Welfare Officer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to €3K |
| Grassroots League Secretary | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €12K |
| Community Foundation Officer | Strongly preferred | €20K to €34K |
| Disability & Inclusion Football Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €28K |
| Football Development Officer | Strongly preferred | €25K to €45K |
| Physical Education Teacher (Football Focus) | Required | €28K to €52K |
| Coach Educator / Tutor | Required | €30K to €85K |
| Club Foundation Director | Helpful | €40K to €90K |
| Business, Enterprise & Football Tech | ||
| Coaching Camp / Academy Owner | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to €99K |
| Five-a-Side Venue Manager | Not needed | €24K to €55K |
| Football Tech Founder | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €200K |
| Football Apparel & Equipment Entrepreneur | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to €120K |
| Football Tech Product Manager | Strongly preferred | €45K to €100K |
| Football Data Account Manager | Helpful | €26K to €60K |
| Football Travel & Experience Operator | Not needed | €20K to €70K |