Elite football coaches, including Aaron Ramsey and Willy Caballero, are undergoing intensive military-style training in the Herefordshire hillsides to earn their UEFA Pro Licences. Organized by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the two-day course uses simulated combat environments to test leadership, decision-making, and stress management under extreme, unpredictable pressure. The setting, typically characterized by rolling hills, chirping birds, and grazing sheep, is intentionally disrupted by the sounds of explosions, plumes of smoke, and ear-splitting screams to force participants to respond to crisis scenarios.
The FAW Pro Licence: Why Managers Train in the Field
The Football Association of Wales has cultivated a reputation for its elite coaching education, often described as the “Harvard of football coaching” by industry professionals. The course counts Mikel Arteta, the Premier League-winning Arsenal manager, among its graduates. While the curriculum focuses on high-level tactical development, the final stages of the UEFA Pro Licence require candidates to step away from the pitch and into the rural hills of Herefordshire for an intensive, two-day exercise with military-trained personnel.
For this latest cohort, the exercise involved realistic scenarios, including simulated ambushes and medical crises. In one instance, six camouflaged men rushed to a scene to find a soldier howling for help while clutching a bloodied leg, half of which appeared to have been blown off. The casualty was an actor—a former soldier and amputee—and the blood was fake, but the first responders were the football coaches. During this drill, former Arsenal midfielder and Wales captain Aaron Ramsey applied a tourniquet, while ex-Chelsea and Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero comforted the casualty. Also part of the group are Peterborough United boss Luke Williams and Michael Wilde, who manages Colwyn Bay in the Cymru Premier.
Leadership Under Pressure: Insights from the Cohort
The training is facilitated by Fieri, a company founded by Matt Johns, who argues that the skills required to lead soldiers in a conflict zone are inherently transferable to the technical area. The curriculum includes war room strategy sessions and tactical simulations within the virtual environment of ‘Breconia.’ Participants are kept in an unfamiliar environment where pressure is applied in multiple ways; they are often tired, uncertain of what will happen next, and subjected to fear and trepidation.
Participants have noted that the experience provides a unique perspective on leadership. Michael Bradley, the former United States and Roma midfielder who is now coaching the New York Red Bulls, emphasized the prestige of the program. “The FAW have earned themselves an incredible reputation in the world of coach education,” Bradley said. “I’ve had great experiences with the FAW. I did my B Licence, my A Licence here, and now to have the opportunity to complete my Pro Licence, it’s a big honour.” Bradley also took part in an ambush exercise, where he and his team were instructed to rescue a hostage in a forest and usher her to safety while fending off armed enemies.
Inclusivity and Adaptability in Elite Coaching
The course serves a diverse range of candidates, with some facing unique physical challenges. Ella Masar, an assistant coach for the Chicago Red Stars, participated in the training while 36 weeks pregnant. Despite the physical intensity of the drills, Masar noted the camaraderie within the group, highlighting how her peers supported her throughout the exercise. “I was giving the guys flak when they were carrying a 10-kilo bag on their backs. I’m like, ‘Just switch it around to the front, and then you have a little bit of a day in the life’. These guys have been so incredible, accepting and being so helpful. They all have wives and kids, and they’ve just really put a hand out,” Masar stated.
Military Tactics and Modern Warfare Context
Since 2023, the introduction of UMPK glide and guidance kits has transformed Russia’s stockpile of unguided ordnance into a game-changer within the positional war, overcoming Ukraine’s air defences.
As the cohort returns to their respective clubs, the FAW program ensures they have tested their decision-making abilities in conditions designed to be as disorienting and demanding as possible, preparing them for the pressures of the professional game.
Find more reporting in our Sport news section.
Worth a look
