Jota and Adrian Work Towards Coaching Qualifications
Diogo Jota and Adrian are demonstrating a proactive approach to their post-playing careers, pursuing coaching qualifications in conjunction with their playing duties.
The pair dedicated their time to coaching at the AXA Training Centre prior to the international break, working with young players from the Steven Gerrard Academy to gain vital practical experience.
Adrian also participated in a UEFA license coaching assessment earlier this month.
Jota and Adrian join a growing list of Liverpool first-team players who have pursued coaching qualifications while actively playing for the club. Previous examples include James Milner, Lucas Leiva, and Adam Lallana.
Joel Matip is another current player working towards receiving his coaching badges, as did Fabinho prior to his summer exit.
Reflecting on his pursuit of a UEFA B Licence, Jota expressed his interest in coaching: “In this moment I would not mind to be a coach,” he said, speaking to the club’s website.
“I played all of these games like Football Manager, I always loved it, and I feel that on the pitch, on the tactical side, I always understand the game and that also plays an important aspect in my own game.”
The forward however cast doubts on any future career as a manager, believing himself to be more suited to a less prominent role.
“At this stage I feel I will never be a first-team coach,” he added. “I could be an assistant, for example, but you never know, so if I have this opportunity [to do the qualification], I think I will learn something while I am doing it, and in the end, I get the UEFA B badge, and then I can go from there.”
While it makes sense for players like Adrian and Matip to be looking ahead to their post-playing careers, it may come as a surprise to see Jota pursuing such a path at age 26 with his best footballing years ahead of him.
As long as any commitments don’t interfere with his training schedule though, the additional tactical awareness brought about should only prove beneficial to the Portuguese hitman’s already impressive game.
