Fifth Module of the UEFA Pro Coaching Course Completed in Astana

05 December 2025, 11:30

From 2 to 5 December, Astana hosted the fifth training module of the UEFA Pro Licence coaching programme, organised by the Kazakhstan Football Federation. Twenty Kazakhstani coaches continued their studies as they work toward obtaining the highest coaching qualification in European football.

During the module, participants covered modern approaches to match preparation and training methodology, including pressing and counter-pressing, tactical periodisation, planning of the weekly microcycle, as well as psychology, leadership and motivation. The theory was combined with practical on-field work involving youth players, enabling coaches to apply the concepts in real game situations.

One of the course participants, FC Kairat head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin, highlighted the high quality of both the programme content and its practical components:

“We divide into groups and present our homework every day on the topic of defending in the second zone. Each day one group makes its presentation, after which we move on to new topics. Over five days we review both the assignments and the new material. A new subject appeared in the fifth module – psychology. It is a very interesting area, and we listened with great attention. Motivation is high across the group. Everything is going very well. Any education is new practice. A coach who wants to develop always strives for new knowledge.'

This year we were fortunate in a way: we have had many matches against European teams. This is a new experience. Naturally, such games provide significant practical benefit. We try to apply the instructors’ guidance in these matches. Perhaps our development has accelerated because the level of opponents is very high. We must act quickly and accumulate international experience.”

The module was conducted by lecturers Gennady Skurtul and Stanislav Pogorelov, while the sports psychology block was led by Inzhu Kusainova. Practical and methodological support was provided by the course tutors: Ivan Azovskiy, Vladimir Nikitenko, Viktor Semenov, Evgeniy Sveshnikov and Igor Shpanera.

The fifth module marked another important milestone in strengthening Kazakhstan’s coaching education system and enhancing the qualifications of local specialists in line with UEFA standards. The knowledge gained will help future UEFA Pro Licence holders to build modern game models, manage training processes effectively and further develop players’ professional qualities.

The UEFA Pro Licence programme remains a key element of the KFF’s technical strategy, aimed at the systematic development of domestic coaches and improving the competitiveness of Kazakh football.