handbook for Technical Directors

Introduction
5
Content of the handbook
The handbook is composed of nine parts,
as explained below. Parts 5, 6, 7 and 8 are
strongly linked to each other as they relate
to the four phases of the project cycle.
At the end of these parts, there is an
example that further explains the content
of each chapter in a practical way and helps
put the theory into an everyday context.
1. Role and responsibilities of the
technical director
This chapter defines the role of the
technical director and his profile. It also
introduces the concept of a long-term
development plan that will be further
elaborated in Part 6.
2. The position of the technical director
within a member association
This chapter identifies the key aspects
related to the hierarchical position of
the technical director within a member
association, in particular: the position in
the organisational chart, the interaction
with the other departments, and
relations with elected members.
3. Technical department set-up
This chapter explains the managerial
functions of the technical director
vis-à-vis the technical department,
as well as his human resources,
financial management and logistics
responsibilities.
4. External contacts and relations
This chapter contains an analysis of the
relations between the technical director
and stakeholders such as coaches, clubs,
confederations, regional associations
or federations/leagues, government
authorities and other institutions. It also
provides some basic information about
the working relations with FIFA and its
Technical Development Division.
6. Strategy and planning
This chapter focuses on the strategic
steps of the project cycle, particularly
the definition of the long-term strategy
(four years) and the yearly action plan.
7. Implementation (domains of activities)
This chapter analyses the
implementation phase and contains
a detailed list of all aspects of the
work of a technical director. Priority is
given to education, coaching licences,
youth national teams, academies and
development competitions. For issues
where a separate manual is available
(e.g. women’s or youth football),
reference is made to the relevant
literature.
8. Monitoring and evaluation
This chapter deals with the last step
of the project cycle: assessment and
monitoring. It analyses short-/mid-/
long-term control mechanisms and
explains the supervisory role of standing
committees.
9. How to grow professionally
This chapter focuses on the need for the
technical director to constantly develop
his knowledge and skills through selflearning,
peer-to-peer contacts and
formal education.
5. Analysis of the football environment
This chapter focuses on the first step of
the project cycle (analysis) by identifying
the key elements for an analysis of the
football environment within a given
country and the stakeholders that have
to be involved.