Derby County are seeking to recruit an Assistant U21 Coach (Fixed Term) to join the Coaching Department at Moor Farm Training Centre.
Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you’re joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you’ll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.
The successful candidate will be play a key role within the Professional Development Phase supporting in delivery of the Academy programme with the Under 21 age group, assisting the U21 Lead Coach on a daily basis and providing support to the U17-U21 Individual Development Lead. Working in alignment with the Academy vision and Game Craft Model, the role supports all operational and developmental aspects of the programme, contributing to a highperformance environment that nurtures player development.
Key Role Responsibilities:
• To be a key stakeholder in every players’ progression and holistic development within the U21s.
• Assist in the planning, delivering and reviewing training sessions in the line with the Academy Game Craft Model.
• Support the U21 age group in all fixtures, this will include in-game communication with analysts to support the game plan and individual player goals.
• To ensure the timely completion of Kitman Labs, maintaining all individual metrics, notes, gradings and additional comments.
• Support the Lead Coach in preparation of all analysis, for both team and individuals.
• To support Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings to ensure that player needs are met across all disciplines through MDT staff engagement.
• To support the holistic development of the players in the age group and ensure that player needs are met in accordance with their Individual Development Plans.
• To support the implementation of the scholar education and life-skills programme.
• To participate in all aspects of the player review process, ensuring accurate objective and subjective data are presented to support discussion.
• Support the retain and release process per the club’s policies and procedures. • Develop relationships with the first team, U18s, and YDP staff.
• Take up any additional coaching tasks that sit within the Academy age groups. • To undertake personal CPD as appropriate to meet the role’s demands.
• To take responsibility for your development through your Development Action Plan following the DCFC Coach Competency Framework (CCF).
• To highlight and celebrate good practice and challenge poor practice where identified. General
• To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.
• Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve the club’s safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• To uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, promoting those specifically applicable to this area of work and including equality, diversity and inclusion
• To present and promote an appropriate public image representing the organisation.
• To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post. Personal characteristics and experience:
• Experience of coaching within a Category 1 academy in the PDP
• Experience of using the Performance Management Application (PMA)
• Experience working as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team
Qualifications: Essential
• UEFA A License
• FA Youth Award
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• FA Level 2 Emergency Aid in Football
• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate
Desirable
• UEFA Pro License
Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.
This is a full-time, fixed-term role until the 29th of May 2026, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.
