Region
India
A huge fan base with a still-developing professional job market. Grassroots, academy, media, content and football-tech roles are growing faster than traditional club jobs.
INRcurrency
25%pay level vs UK, illustrative
3key bodies
League structure
The Indian Super League and I-League sit above state leagues. Calendars and commercial arrangements have changed in recent seasons, so check current structure.
Governing bodies and unions
AIFF, Indian Super League clubs, State associations.
Coaching licences
AIFF coaching licences follow the AFC structure (D, C, B, A and Pro), and coach-education capacity is growing.
Qualification recognition in India
- Confederation Coaching Licences (AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, Concacaf) (Strong)
- Football Agent Licence (FIFA Agent Exam) (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)
- 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)
- Degree in Any Subject (Strong)
- UEFA Coaching Licences (C, B, A, Pro) (Recognised)
- Goalkeeper Coaching Licences (Recognised)
- Football Management Certificate (UEFA CFM) (Recognised)
- Executive Master for International Players (UEFA MIP) (Recognised)
- Football Law Programme (Recognised)
- International Master in Sport (FIFA Master) (Recognised)
- Sport or Football Business Degree (Recognised)
- Sports Law Qualifications (LLM or Solicitor/Bar with Specialism) (Recognised)
- Strength & Conditioning Accreditation (Recognised)
- Sport Psychology Training & Registration (Recognised)
- Sports Nutrition Qualifications & Registration (Recognised)
- Sports Massage & Soft-Tissue Therapy Courses (Recognised)
- Performance Analysis or Sports Analytics Degree (Recognised)
- Groundsmanship & Turf Management Qualifications (Recognised)
- Language Certificates (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)
- Referee Course & Referee Grades (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 INR. Many roles are unpaid or part-time at grassroots level.
| Role | Qualification | Indicative pay |
|---|---|---|
| Playing & Player Development | ||
| Academy Scholar | Not needed | ₹83K to ₹550K |
| Semi-Professional Player | Not needed | ₹55K to ₹690K |
| Professional Player (Lower Leagues) | Not needed | ₹690K to ₹3.3M |
| Top-Flight Professional Player | Not needed | ₹4.1M to ₹69M |
| Coaching & Technical | ||
| Grassroots Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹220K |
| Community Football Coach | Strongly preferred | ₹440K to ₹770K |
| Academy Coach | Required | ₹610K to ₹1.5M |
| Academy Head of Coaching | Required | ₹1.5M to ₹3.6M |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Strongly preferred | ₹610K to ₹3.3M |
| Set-Piece Coach | Helpful | ₹960K to ₹6.9M |
| Assistant Coach | Required | ₹1.1M to ₹11M |
| Head Coach / Manager | Required | ₹1.7M to ₹96M |
| National Team Coach | Required | ₹2.2M to ₹41M |
| Medical, Performance & Sports Science | ||
| Sports Therapist | Strongly preferred | ₹610K to ₹1.2M |
| Club Physiotherapist | Required | ₹880K to ₹3M |
| Head of Medical | Required | ₹1.8M to ₹6.1M |
| Club Doctor | Required | ₹1.9M to ₹6.9M |
| Sport Scientist | Strongly preferred | ₹610K to ₹1.4M |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Strongly preferred | ₹770K to ₹2.6M |
| Head of Performance | Strongly preferred | ₹1.8M to ₹6.1M |
| Sport Psychologist | Required | ₹880K to ₹3M |
| Performance Nutritionist | Strongly preferred | ₹830K to ₹2.5M |
| Soft-Tissue Therapist (Masseur) | Helpful | ₹500K to ₹1M |
| Analysis & Data | ||
| Match Data Collector | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹330K |
| Performance Analyst (Academy / Lower League) | Helpful | ₹500K to ₹990K |
| First-Team Performance Analyst | Helpful | ₹830K to ₹2.1M |
| Opposition Analyst | Helpful | ₹770K to ₹1.9M |
| Football Data Scientist | Strongly preferred | ₹1.1M to ₹2.8M |
| Football Data Engineer | Strongly preferred | ₹1.2M to ₹3M |
| Head of Analysis | Helpful | ₹1.7M to ₹4.7M |
| Football Trader / Odds Compiler | Strongly preferred | ₹770K to ₹2.2M |
| Scouting & Recruitment | ||
| Match Scout (Part-Time) | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹390K |
| Academy / Youth Scout | Strongly preferred | ₹440K to ₹1M |
| Professional Scout | Not needed | ₹770K to ₹2.1M |
| Recruitment Analyst | Helpful | ₹720K to ₹1.7M |
| International Scout | Not needed | ₹550K to ₹1.9M |
| Loan & Player Pathway Manager | Helpful | ₹880K to ₹2.2M |
| Chief Scout | Not needed | ₹1.5M to ₹4.4M |
| Head of Recruitment | Not needed | ₹1.8M to ₹6.1M |
| Sporting Direction & Football Management | ||
| Football Administrator | Not needed | ₹500K to ₹770K |
| Player Liaison / Player Care Officer | Not needed | ₹610K to ₹1.2M |
| Club Interpreter / Translator | Not needed | ₹610K to ₹1.5M |
| Player Registration & Compliance Officer | Strongly preferred | ₹660K to ₹1.5M |
| Academy Education & Welfare Officer | Required | ₹660K to ₹1.3M |
| Football Operations Manager | Helpful | ₹960K to ₹2.6M |
| Academy Manager | Required | ₹1.7M to ₹4.7M |
| Technical Director | Strongly preferred | ₹2.2M to ₹9.6M |
| Sporting Director / Director of Football | Strongly preferred | ₹2.5M to ₹33M |
| Agents & Player Representation | ||
| Agency Assistant / Intern | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹660K |
| Licensed Football Agent | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹8.3M |
| Senior Agent / Head of Representation | Required | ₹1.7M to ₹83M |
| Agency Founder / Director | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹140M |
| Image Rights & Brand Manager | Helpful | ₹830K to ₹3M |
| Match Officials | ||
| Youth Referee | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹83K |
| Grassroots Referee | Required | ₹28K to ₹250K |
| Semi-Professional / National-List Referee | Required | ₹140K to ₹770K |
| Professional Referee | Required | ₹1.4M to ₹4.4M |
| Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Official | Required | ₹1.2M to ₹3.9M |
| Referee Assessor / Observer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹550K |
| Referee Development Officer | Strongly preferred | ₹720K to ₹1.3M |
| Stadium, Pitch & Matchday Operations | ||
| Match-Day Steward | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹330K |
| Kit Manager | Not needed | ₹500K to ₹1.2M |
| Groundsperson | Helpful | ₹500K to ₹940K |
| Head Groundsperson / Pitch Manager | Strongly preferred | ₹1M to ₹3M |
| Travel & Logistics Coordinator | Not needed | ₹610K to ₹1.2M |
| Ticketing Manager | Helpful | ₹770K to ₹1.9M |
| Supporter Liaison Officer | Not needed | ₹550K to ₹1.1M |
| Safety Officer | Required | ₹960K to ₹2.5M |
| Stadium Operations Manager | Helpful | ₹960K to ₹2.5M |
| Commercial, Marketing & Fan Engagement | ||
| Commercial Assistant | Helpful | ₹500K to ₹770K |
| Hospitality & Ticket Sales Executive | Not needed | ₹610K to ₹1.4M |
| Sponsorship Sales Executive | Helpful | ₹660K to ₹1.5M |
| Social Media & Digital Content Manager | Not needed | ₹610K to ₹1.7M |
| Fan Engagement Manager | Helpful | ₹880K to ₹1.9M |
| Merchandise & Retail Manager | Helpful | ₹770K to ₹1.8M |
| Marketing Manager | Helpful | ₹880K to ₹2.1M |
| Partnerships Manager | Helpful | ₹1M to ₹2.3M |
| Head of Commercial / Commercial Director | Helpful | ₹1.9M to ₹6.9M |
| Media, Content & Broadcasting | ||
| Football Content Creator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹1.7M |
| Club Press & Communications Officer | Helpful | ₹660K to ₹1.4M |
| Club Video Producer / Editor | Not needed | ₹610K to ₹1.3M |
| Football Photographer | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹1.2M |
| Local Football Reporter | Strongly preferred | ₹550K to ₹940K |
| Football Journalist | Strongly preferred | ₹770K to ₹2.1M |
| Broadcast Producer | Helpful | ₹830K to ₹2.2M |
| Match Commentator | Not needed | ₹280K to ₹6.9M |
| Pundit / Analyst (Media) | Not needed | ₹140K to ₹14M |
| Governance, Legal & Finance | ||
| Club Accountant | Strongly preferred | ₹720K to ₹1.7M |
| Club Finance Director | Required | ₹2.2M to ₹8.3M |
| Football Lawyer | Required | ₹1.2M to ₹6.1M |
| Football Compliance & Regulation Officer | Strongly preferred | ₹1M to ₹2.6M |
| Safeguarding Officer | Required | ₹770K to ₹1.7M |
| Club Secretary / Administrator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹1.1M |
| Football Governance & Regulatory Officer | Strongly preferred | ₹960K to ₹2.3M |
| Club Chief Executive | Not needed | ₹2.8M to ₹41M |
| Community, Grassroots & Education | ||
| Club Welfare Officer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹83K |
| Grassroots League Secretary | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹330K |
| Community Foundation Officer | Strongly preferred | ₹550K to ₹940K |
| Disability & Inclusion Football Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹770K |
| Football Development Officer | Strongly preferred | ₹690K to ₹1.2M |
| Physical Education Teacher (Football Focus) | Required | ₹770K to ₹1.4M |
| Coach Educator / Tutor | Required | ₹830K to ₹2.3M |
| Club Foundation Director | Helpful | ₹1.1M to ₹2.5M |
| Business, Enterprise & Football Tech | ||
| Coaching Camp / Academy Owner | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹2.8M |
| Five-a-Side Venue Manager | Not needed | ₹660K to ₹1.5M |
| Football Tech Founder | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹5.5M |
| Football Apparel & Equipment Entrepreneur | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₹3.3M |
| Football Tech Product Manager | Strongly preferred | ₹1.2M to ₹2.9M |
| Football Data Account Manager | Helpful | ₹720K to ₹1.7M |
| Football Travel & Experience Operator | Not needed | ₹550K to ₹1.9M |