Football coaching is a dream job for many. The passion, the pitch, the chance to develop players and build teams – it’s incredibly rewarding work. But when it comes to football coaching salaries, that passion often collides with a harsh financial reality.
Too many coaches across grassroots, academy, and even semi-professional levels are struggling to make a full-time living from the game they love.
At Pyramid Football, we work with coaches, club owners, and football entrepreneurs who are tired of hustling for scraps and ready to build something sustainable – not just on the pitch, but in life.
This blog post will dive deep into the realities of football coaching salaries, why so many coaches are stuck financially, and more importantly, how you can take control of your income without leaving the sport behind.
The Reality of Football Coaching Salaries
Let’s start by looking at the numbers.
While some high-level coaches in the Premier League and elite academies are on impressive salaries, the majority of football coaches are earning very little – especially at grassroots and semi-professional levels.
Grassroots Coaching Pay (UK example):
- Many part-time grassroots coaches earn very little, if any.
- Youth club coaches often juggle multiple roles or rely on volunteer or low-paid work.
- A typical grassroots coach working 10–15 hours per week might only earn a couple hundred £ per month, often with no job security, pension, or benefits.
Compare that to the cost of living, and you can see the problem.
Even in academies and lower-tier professional clubs, full-time coaching roles are rare and competitive. Salaries might range from £18,000–£30,000 per year, which can be tough to live on if you’re supporting a family or living in an expensive area.
Here’s the truth: Passion is not enough to pay the bills.
Why Coaches Struggle Financially
Low football coaching salaries aren’t just about clubs being stingy. The problem runs deeper:
1. Supply and Demand
There are thousands of qualified coaches – and more getting certified every month. With so many coaches available, many clubs simply don’t feel the need to pay well.
2. Lack of Business Skills
Most coaching courses teach football, not finance. Coaches graduate with knowledge of tactics and drills, but no understanding of how to market themselves, negotiate fees, or build a profitable coaching brand.
3. One Income Stream
Most coaches rely on a single stream of income – usually hourly sessions. If a team folds or a term ends, their income vanishes.
4. No Leverage
Coaches often think small – working for clubs, academies, or schools instead of creating their own coaching businesses, programmes, or digital products.
5. Fear of Promotion
Many coaches are scared to “put themselves out there” online or raise their prices, worried it might seem unprofessional. But in reality, visibility and value go hand in hand.
Signs You’re Underpaid as a Football Coach
Still unsure if this problem applies to you? Here are some red flags:
- You work evenings and weekends but still need a second job to get by.
- You’re chasing unpaid invoices and waiting on club payments.
- Your schedule is full, but your bank account isn’t.
- You feel like your knowledge and impact aren’t being reflected in your pay.
- You don’t know how to grow beyond your current coaching gig.
If any of those ring true – you’re not alone. We work with coaches across the UK and beyond who are in the exact same position.
The good news? There’s a way out.
How to Make a Full-Time Living from Football Coaching (Even If You’re Grassroots)
If you want to earn more as a coach, it’s time to stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like a business owner.
Here’s what that looks like:
1. Turn Coaching into a Business
Coaching isn’t just a job. It can be a business.
That means thinking about:
- Branding – What makes you different?
- Marketing – How do people hear about you?
- Systems – How do you automate bookings, payments, and communication?
- Client Experience – Do players and parents want to come back and refer others?
When you build a business around your coaching, you’re no longer relying on others to hand you work – you create it yourself.
2. Multiple Streams of Income
The top coaches we work with don’t rely on just one income source. Here are a few examples of what’s possible:
- Private 1-1 coaching at premium prices
- Small group sessions and holiday camps
- Online coaching programmes
- Digital products (eBooks, drills, videos)
- Coaching courses or workshops for parents or beginner coaches
- Partnerships with schools, clubs, or local businesses
- YouTube or Instagram monetisation
- Merchandise or training kit sales
You don’t need all of these. But building two or three streams can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
3. Know Your Numbers
A lot of coaches avoid the financial side because it feels boring or confusing. But you can’t grow what you don’t measure.
Start tracking:
- What you earn monthly
- What it costs to run your sessions
- Your time input vs money earned
- What services make the most (and least) profit
Once you know your numbers, you can increase your income without working more hours – by focusing on the most profitable parts of your coaching.
4. Raise Your Prices (Yes, Really)
So many coaches undercharge out of fear. But here’s the truth:
People pay more for a better experience, better results, and a trusted brand.
You can charge more if you deliver more value and clearly communicate it.
At Pyramid Football, we’ve helped coaches go from £20 per session to £50+ per session – not through fancy gimmicks, but by positioning their offer and improving how they show up.
5. Build Your Brand
If no one knows who you are, you’ll always be chasing gigs. When you build a brand, people come to you.
Simple branding tips:
- Post valuable content on social media regularly
- Share testimonials, results, behind-the-scenes
- Pick a clear niche (e.g., strikers, goalkeepers, youth players)
- Create a free resource to build an email list
- Be known for something specific
How Pyramid Football Can Help You Grow Your Football Coaching Salaries
We created Pyramid Football for people like you – coaches who are serious about football and serious about building a better life through it.
We’re not a coaching badge provider.
We’re not a motivational quote account.
We’re a business coaching company for football people – helping you learn the real-world skills to build a profitable, purpose-driven coaching business.
With Pyramid Football, you can:
✅ Build a brand that attracts clients and opportunities
✅ Create multiple income streams around your coaching
✅ Stop trading time for pennies and start building long-term value
✅ Learn marketing, sales, pricing, and systems – without fluff
✅ Grow with support, structure, and accountability
We’ve helped grassroots coaches go full-time, club owners turn their teams into businesses, and part-timers build online incomes that free up their time and choices.
If you’re tired of scraping by and ready to take control, you don’t need another badge. You need a blueprint.
Next Steps: Are You Ready to Take Control?
Low football coaching salaries aren’t just a money issue – they’re a freedom issue. They keep great coaches in jobs they don’t love, burnt out from overworking, and uncertain about the future.
But you don’t have to stay stuck.
If you’re ready to:
- Stop relying on clubs to dictate your worth
- Create income streams around your coaching
- Learn how to build a business, not just a session plan…
Then we invite you to join us.
👉 Follow us on Instagram (@pyramidfootballclub_) for daily tips
Final Thoughts On Football Coaching Salaries
Coaching is about impact. And the more stable and supported you are, the more players, families, and communities you can help.
Don’t let low football coaching salaries define your future.
It’s time to rise up the pyramid – and we’re here to help you do it.
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