From Tactics to Emotions: AFC’s 5th Coach Education Conference Redefines the Modern Coach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – What does it mean to be a modern football coach in Asia? At the 5th AFC Coach Education Conference, the answer was clear: it’s no longer just about tactics and training drills—today’s coaches must lead with empathy, adapt to technology, and navigate a game that changes faster than ever before.

Over the course of three engaging days in Kuala Lumpur, more than 100 coach education leaders from across Asia gathered to do exactly what the conference promised: “Shape the Future of Coach Education.” And from the first keynote to the final panel, the energy was electric.

A Future-Facing Vision from the Start

The event kicked off with a powerful opening address from Andy Roxburgh, AFC Technical Director, who urged attendees to move beyond outdated approaches:

“We are not preparing coaches for the game of 20 years ago,” he said. “We are preparing them for the challenges of the next 20.”

Roxburgh’s session, titled Tomorrow’s Coaches, struck a chord—setting the tone for a conference that challenged conventional thinking and sparked ambitious conversations.

Diversity, Data & Developing People

On Day 2, participants dived deep into the UEFA Coaching Convention’s membership framework, discussing how to build sustainable national coaching programmes, expand the role of women in coaching, and deliver more reality-based learning experiences.

Attendees shared challenges, exchanged ideas, and debated how technology, psychology, and leadership can shape Asia’s next generation of tacticians.

One of the most thought-provoking moments came during the “Emotions in Football” panel—featuring experts from the Qatar FA, Aspire Academy, AFC Youth Development, and Education 4 Peace. The message was clear: emotional intelligence isn’t a luxury in football anymore; it’s a core skill for modern coaches.

"You Can’t Coach in 2025 with a 2005 Mindset"

That was the takeaway for many in sessions like Talking Points, which analysed tactical trends and player performance data from recent AFC competitions, including:

• AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™ (qualifying rounds)

• AFC Champions League Elite™

• AFC Women’s Champions League™

These insights weren’t just theoretical—they were actionable, showing how evolving game dynamics demand smarter, faster, and more flexible coaching.

Women at the Forefront of Coaching

Another standout theme? Empowering women in football education. Updates on the ongoing AFC–Japan Football Association Women’s Pro Diploma Course highlighted how the confederation is actively reshaping the gender landscape in coaching.

Faye Chambers, Coach Education Instructor at Football Australia, put it best:

“You can feel the shift. More women are not just entering coaching—they're leading it. And that changes everything.”

Final Words, Lasting Impact

The conference closed with presentations from two coaching heavyweights: Nasser Larguet (Saudi Arabian FA) and Niall O’Regan (FAI), who shared case studies on successful national coach education models.

But it wasn’t just about blueprints—it was about belief.

“It’s been a fantastic few days,” said Hasney Aljofree, former Bolton defender and now Head of Coach Education in Singapore.
“This conference has shown how far Asian football has come—and where it’s going. The game is changing. And so are we.”

The verdict? Coach education in Asia is no longer just a curriculum—it’s a movement. And it’s gaining momentum.