LearnEnglishProfessionals

FOOTBALLMANAGEMENTAUDIOSCRIPT

ListentoaninterviewwithPaul,whoistrainingtobeafootballmanager.
Optionalexercise Listentotheinterviewandchoosethecorrectanswer.

(Answersbelow)

1. WhatdoesPaulsayabouthisfootballcareer?
a. Heplayedforalotofdifferentclubs.
b. HeplayedforManchesterUnited.
c. Hestoppedplayingwhenhewas16.
2.WhatdoesPaulthinkaboutalotoffootballmanagers?
a. Theyusuallyencourageplayerstobecomecoaches.
b. Theyrenotverygoodatmanagement.
c. Theyrenotverygoodatfootball.
3.Whendoeshehavetoattendthecourse?
a. Onceaweekforayear.
b. Mainlyinthesummer.
c. Fulltimeforayear.
Interviewer:

Paul,canyoutellmehowyougotinterestedinbeingafootballmanager?

Paul:
Yes,wellIstartedoutasaprofessionalfootballer.Iplayedforquiteafewclubsinthelower
leagues,andIevenhadatrialatManchesterUnited,althoughnothingcameofit.Inmylastclub,themanager
encouragedmetodosomecoaching,whichIreallyenjoyed.AndthatswhenIthoughtmaybeIcouldmakeit
asamanager.
Interviewer:

Sowhathappenednext?

Paul:
Istartedworkingformycoachinglicence,andthenIheardaboutacertificateinfootball
management,andappliedforaplaceonthecourse.
Interviewer: Ivealwaysthoughtthatmostmanagersjustlearnonthejob.Wereyounottemptedtojustgive
itagoanyway?
Paul:
Notreally.Iveseensomanymanagerscomeandgoandalotofthem,tobehonest,werent
reallythatgoodattheirjob.AndImyourtypicalfootballerIleftschoolat16soIhaventhadthatmuchofan
education.IdidntfeelconfidentthatIcoulddealwiththingslikefinanceandnegotiatingwithpeople.
Interviewer:

Andisthatthekindofthingyoulearnonthiscourse?

Paul:
Yes,itreallycoverseverythingyouneedtoknow:leadershipskills,talkingtothemedia,
handlingpressure,publicspeaking.Ivegotalotmoreconfidenceandamreallylookingforwardtomyfirst
managerialjob.
Interviewer:

Howdoesthecourseworkinpractice? Ibelieveyoureworkingaswellasstudying.

Paul:
Thatsright.AfterIgotmycoachinglicenceIgotajobasacoachwithaseconddivisionteam.
Itsnoproblemcombiningworkwithstudying,though.Infactyouneedtobeplayingorworkinginfootballtoget
onthecourse.Itfitsinwellbecausemostofthecoursetakesplaceduringtwosummerschools,oneatthe
beginningandoneattheendofthecourse.Thereareafewworkshopsduringtheyear,whichwefitaroundour
schedules.SoreallyImlearningonthejobIcanputintopracticewhatIvelearnt.
Interviewer:

Andfinally,wouldyourecommendthisrouteintofootballmanagement?

Paul:

Yes,mostdefinitely.Ithinkallmanagers,evenexistingones,shoulddothecourse.

Answers:1a,2b,3b
www.britishcouncil.org/professionals.htm
TheBritishCouncil,2007
TheUnitedKingdomsinternationalorganisationforeducationalopportunitiesandculturalrelations. WeareregisteredinEnglandasacharity.