Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne receives UEFA A coaching license

Tosin Abayomi 22:22 - 31 May 2022

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne received his UEFA A coaching license

De Bruyne is preparing to be a coach when he retires from playing.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne received his UEFA A coaching license after two years of training with the Belgian FA

Belgian football welcomes a few more potential top coaches. "This project is considered a 'Best Practice' by UEFA. Many other federations have already adopted this concept," says Kris Van Der Haegen, head of coaching education at the RBFA, who himself has given the course to (former) professional footballers. "The idea is that this transition already allows the course participants to think about what they want to do after their career. And they take their first steps as a coach in Belgium, so they don't have to go abroad straight away."

Making progress

"Many of the boys have already made a lot of progress and we are already seeing the results," says Van Der Haegen. "Just look at our federation, where Thomas Vermaelen has joined the Red Devils' staff. But Nicolas Lombaerts and Timmy Simons are also good examples. You see that many boys have great potential as coaches. It is a win-win situation. The Devils pass on their experience to future Red Devils."

During the training, they mainly learned how to think like a coach. Back at their clubs, all participants then carried out an assignment with a youth team.

Here is the list of the 18 (former) Devils present at the ceremony: