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Robbie Keane discussing tactics with the IT Carlow students during his coaching qualification course today. Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
Back To School

From captain to manager? Robbie Keane begins coaching qualifications

The 33-year old will start the UEFA A and B diploma course this week.

IRELAND CAPTAIN ROBBIE KEANE returned to school today to begin a UEFA A and B Diploma course after missing out on a similar opportunity earlier this year.

The course, which started in Carlow IT before moving to Dublin next week, follows on from a similar event featuring the likes of John O’Shea, Keith Andrews, Gary Kelly and Glenn Whelan in May.

The FAI have been planning the initiative, which aims to develop the coaching skills of current and former international players, since EURO 2012 but Keane missed out on the initial course in the summer due to club commitments with LA Galaxy.

The course involves over 60 hours of theory and practical sessions. While the FAI currently has 88 UEFA qualified coaches on its books, there were 1307 Youth Cert holders, 904 B Licence holders, 253 A Licence holders and 49 Pro Licence holders in Ireland at the end of 2013.

Speaking at the announcement, Greig Paterson, the FAI’s Coach Education Manager said:

“It’s an absolute pleasure to have Robbie involved with us. He was instrumental in helping to set it up, and has always maintained a keen interest in catching up with the group.

“Together, we’re working hard to ensure that we introduce him to the necessary skills and competencies of the modern day coach, so that he can work on furthering his coaching experience and honing his coaching style and methodology before joining up with the rest of the group later this year.”

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