First Team Individual Development CoachPortsmouth FC

Role Purpose

Portsmouth Football Club is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Individual Development Coach to join our First Team coaching staff. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in helping players maximise their potential through tailored development programmes that support both individual growth and team performance.

Working closely with the Head Coach and multidisciplinary performance staff, you will lead the design, delivery and review of individual development plans, building trusted relationships with players and providing the support, challenge and feedback needed to drive continuous improvement. Alongside this, you will contribute to the planning and delivery of first team training, helping to create a high-performance environment where players can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver tailored Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for 1st team players, aligned to the Head Coach’s tactical and technical philosophy.
• Conduct regular one-to-one sessions with players, focusing on technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development needs.
• Work closely with the Head Coach, analysts, and sports science staff to identify individual performance gaps and monitor progress.
• Plan and deliver first team training sessions as part of the wider coaching staff, contributing to session design and on-pitch delivery.
• Use video analysis and performance data to inform and review individual development content.
• Maintain detailed records of player development activity and produce progress reports for the Head Coach.
• Build strong working relationships with players to support engagement and buy-in to development programmes.
• Contribute to the wider football department, including scouting, recruitment insight, and loan player management where required.
• Ensure all activity adheres to FA rules, safeguarding policies, and club standards.
• Support the transition of Academy graduates into the First team environment.
Personal Specification
Essential
• UEFA A Licence
• Experience supporting player development within professional football, elite academy football, or comparable high-performance environments.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering individual player development programmes.
• Strong communicator with the experience of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary performance environments.
• Proficient in video analysis tools (e.g. Sportscode, Hudl, Wyscout or similar).
• Demonstrable ability to build trusted relationships and positively influence player behaviour and performance.
Preferred
• UEFA Pro Licence or working towards it.
• Experience in a Championship or Premier League environment.
Additional Requirements
• Enhanced DBS check required.
• FA Safeguarding Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required by the first team schedule.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.