Doha, 16 Jan. 2023 (QT)

By ASHRAF SIDDIQUI

FIFA will start an 18-month long accredited course for technical directors from May this year through which the first-ever diploma certificate by FIFA will be issued by the end of 2024, said Jamie Houchen, head of Technical Leadership, a department under ‘Global Football Development Division, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Talking to Qatar Tribune at the end of the FIFA Technical Experts Workshops held recently in Doha, Houchen said the first-ever technical director accredited qualification course will be conducted with 24 participants from six federations around the world.

According to him, this course will be held in four blocks in four different locations in Brazil, Germany, Japan and Switzerland with a six-month gap in between for online training for technical directors.

The employment of a technical director is compulsory as per FIFA guidelines for each member association. FIFA tries to keep closer relations with the technical
directors through a variety of methods since the position is in charge of defining and leading the national technical development programmes, developing long-term strategies in all respect of the game, including coach education, youth football, women football and grassroots level.

At a recently concluded technical workshop, Houchen said that he had a team of 15 global technical leadership experts, adding that the team is responsible for development of technical directors in 211 countries around the world.

He said technical directors and technical team are key people for the development of football in their respective countries. “It is imperative that we provide them with the services required in their personal growth to meet the job requirements, to become a better leader, gain better understanding of the game’s dynamics, have more comprehensive grasp of the game, and know how to develop specific leadership and management skills and knowledge that fit with the individual
country’s own environment,” he said.

He added that many of the technical directors may have football background and knowledge, but not necessarily have the ability or opportunity as a former player or coach to lead the team, manage the technical structure or to understand budget and finance.

Houchen said that 26 experts participated in the recent Doha workshop and they will be delivering 16 leadership workshops in the next 12 months around the world. He added that they will also be conducting four workshops for AFC new technical directors as well as organise leadership courses, knowledge exchange
programmes for eight AFC countries, develop talent plans with the support of general secretary or president for effective delivery of the plan in 211 targeted countries.

On the expected challenges for hosting the next World Cup by three countries and with 48 teams, the passionate British football lover with 30 years of success story in football career, said that though change is always a challenge, there is no news from FIFA side as yet. “There are still four more years to go. We have to wait for the decision to be format.

We witnessed surprises and amazing experiences in Qatar World Cup, holding all the matches within maximum of 45 minutes of drive,” he said. “In the 2026 World Cup, many countries which have never qualified before will get opportunity to compete with the best teams of the world and may surprise the world. Fans
and the players will get more exposure to the new cultures and new places. However, both will be carefully maintaining their flight plans and schedules,” he added.