Female coaches growing on and off the pitch through UEFA mentor programme

Since 2018, the UEFA coach mentor programme has paired promising female coaches with mentors who have succeeded at the very top of the game.

Now in its fifth edition, the latest cohort of 11 coaches have the opportunity to shadow and share plans and ideas with mentors over an 18-month period.

The programme has played a fundamental role in the progression of Norway head coach Gemma Grainger, who was part of the previous cohort as a mentee, and has now taken on the role of mentor.

"The women’s game is changing apace," says Grainger, who led the two-time champions to the quarter-finals of Women’s EURO 2025, their best performance since 2013. "The mentoring relationship is key to being able to support each other, to evolve and adapt."

A fresh perspective

Part of our commitment to improving female coaching across Europe, the coach mentor programme gives mentees the opportunity to explore new ideas with the support of a knowledgeable mentor.

"My mentor helps me to see things from different perspectives and to challenge myself, and I think that's essential for development," says Eva-Maria Virsinger, mentee and assistant coach at Wolfsburg.

Virsinger is mentored by Francisco Neto, the head coach of the Portuguese women’s team, but the programme also builds a network of coaches on the same journey.

"On the one hand, you’ve got a really experienced coach on your side, but on the other hand you also have the possibility to connect and exchange with other mentees about their paths and experience," Virsinger explains. “That’s really, really valuable.”

Neto agrees: "I think this is the strongest part of this programme, because I know Eva-Maria is not just with me, she is growing with all the mentees," he says.

Virsinger’s favourite part of the programme so far was the opportunity to attend Wembley Stadium alongside Neto as Portugal fell to a UEFA Women's Nations League defeat to England in May – giving insight into how top coaches face the toughest of challenges.

"In our lives as coaches, we will have nights like that," Neto says. "I think Eva-Maria learned a lot about that, because being a coach is managing these moments too."

Growing the women’s game

By connecting coaches from across Europe, the programme facilitates knowledge-sharing and collaborative development.

"I think the people here make the difference," says Veronica Maglia, head coach of Switzerland women’s under-19 team. "We have a lot of different experiences and get to discuss with people from other countries, which gives me a clear idea of what I want to try to do for my team."

Mentees and mentors meet regularly throughout the programme

Maglia is also benefitting from the experience of Even Pellerud, who led Norway to the UEFA Women’s EURO title in 1993.

"At the time I was coaching, we were expected to know everything and make all the decisions," Pellerud explains. "Now, there is a new culture where we share information, we delegate obligations. Mentoring is such an important aspect of the game now."

Maglia believes that the positive outlook of her cohort is rubbing off on her and feels empowered by the sense of shared purpose on the programme.

"My objective is to focus on the strengths of my players, to support them to be the best version of themselves – and in this programme, the participants live that every day," she said.

"For me, it’s a big inspiration to work with all the people here because they all have the same idea – to push women’s football forward."

UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women

The UEFA Coach Mentor Programme is part of the UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women, which also provides financial support both to the coaches earning qualifications and to the female coach educators teaching them.

By 2024, the number of female coaches possessing UEFA C, B, A or Pro licence qualifications had risen dramatically to over 25,000 - an increase of 75% in just eight years.