Soccer Management and Scouting FAQ

Becoming a Soccer Scout

How do I become a soccer scout?

Becoming a soccer scout starts with learning how clubs actually evaluate talent. Many aspiring scouts struggle because they watch games like fans instead of professionals. SMWW's Soccer Management and Scouting course teaches you to evaluate players with real scouting criteria, build scouting reports, and understand how scouting fits into recruitment and club decision making.

What qualifications do you need to be a soccer scout?

There is no single required degree. Clubs care most about whether you can identify talent, communicate it clearly, and support your opinion with strong scouting reports. SMWW's course develops those skills through training from professionals who have worked inside the game.

Can I become a soccer scout if I never played professionally or coached?

Yes. Many successful scouts were never professional players. Clubs hire people who can evaluate players accurately, understand systems and roles, and deliver high quality reports. Playing experience can help, but training, consistency, and credibility matter more.

What does a soccer scout actually do?

A soccer scout evaluates players for recruitment. That includes watching matches live and on video, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and fit for a system, writing professional scouting reports, communicating recommendations to decision makers, and tracking players over time rather than judging them on one game.

How do scouts evaluate a soccer player?

Professional scouts look far beyond highlights. They assess decision making under pressure, movement off the ball, tactical awareness, technical consistency, physical profile, mentality and work rate, and fit within a specific playing style. The course teaches this same framework.

How do you write a soccer scouting report?

A strong scouting report is clear, structured, and useful to a coach or recruitment director. It is a professional evaluation, not an opinion piece. In the course, you learn to write reports that cover player traits, role fit, development potential, and recruitment value.

How do I build a soccer scouting portfolio?

A portfolio includes written scouting reports, player evaluations and comparisons, match notes, recruitment recommendations, and proof that your work is consistent and improving. Course assignments are designed so that you finish with real material to show.

About the SMWW Soccer Management & Scouting Course

Is a soccer scouting course worth it?

If you are serious about scouting as a career, yes. Most people do not need more soccer knowledge. They need a structured process and professional training, and this eight week course gives you both, along with weekly mentorship and graded assignments.

Will the Soccer Management and Scouting course help me get a job in soccer?

It can help, though no course can guarantee a job. For eight weeks you learn alongside course mentors and classmates who share your goal, and you study the same strategies that professional clubs use. SMWW also redesigns your resume to highlight your new skills. The skills and contacts you gain can be what separates you from other candidates.

Do I really get to talk with soccer professionals every week?

Yes. Each week includes a live, hour long video chat with the course mentors, Gordon Kljestan and Vlatko Andonovski, where you can ask questions and gain insider knowledge of the business side of the game. If you miss a live session, the recording is archived so you can watch whenever it is convenient.

What is the difference between Sports Sales and Marketing and Soccer Management and Scouting?

Sports Sales and Marketing helps students land an entry level job in any professional sports organization as quickly as possible, and it includes a course project with a major or minor league team. Soccer Management and Scouting is focused entirely on soccer, including scouting and the business of running a professional club. If you want a career in professional soccer, taking both is a strong combination.

Is this course good for former players, coaches, or soccer parents?

Yes. Former players and coaches use the course to move into scouting and recruitment roles, and soccer parents and youth coaches take it to better understand player evaluation and the pathway to higher levels. Students of all ages use it to transition into scouting or soccer recruitment.

Do soccer scouts use video and data, and can I scout using video only?

Yes to both. Modern scouts use video platforms, tracking data, and match analysis to support their decisions, and many scouts evaluate players by video, especially internationally. Professional scouts also know the limits of video and what must be confirmed in person, and the course covers both approaches.

What is the difference between a soccer scout and a soccer analyst?

A scout focuses on player recruitment, identifying talent and projecting future potential. An analyst focuses on performance analysis, often using data, video, and tactical breakdown. The best modern scouts understand both, so the course teaches scouting while showing how scouting and analysis work together.

Do I interact with real soccer scouts and executives in this course?

Yes. The course includes live weekly video chats with soccer professionals. These sessions are where students gain insider knowledge, ask questions, and build real-world perspective. If you can’t attend live, sessions are recorded.

Does this course help with scouting jobs in MLS, Europe, or international clubs?

It can. The course teaches scouting methods used globally and prepares you to pursue opportunities at all levels. Many students use this training as a stepping stone into scouting networks, academy roles, agency work, and club recruitment pathways.

Can women become professional soccer scouts?

Absolutely. Scouting is about knowledge, evaluation skill, and professional credibility. Clubs worldwide are actively expanding recruitment and scouting departments, and qualified scouts are in demand. This course is designed for anyone serious about breaking into the game.

Do soccer scouts travel?

Yes. Many scouting roles involve travel, especially for live match evaluation. Some roles are heavily travel-based, while others focus on video scouting and analysis. This course explains the different scouting paths and what each role typically requires.

Will I be able to work in the UEFA, FIFA World Cup, MLS, or the professional league on my continent?

The start of any great career begins with passion. If you are passionate about working in soccer and international football and you make smart choices you can make your dream job happen. Job experience and who you know is important. Tenacity and determination is a must. If you want to enhance what you know and who you know the Soccer Management & Scouting Course is a great place to start. If you need an internship at professional or collegiate soccer or international football team, look into our Sports Sales and Marketing course.

Do I need any special equipment, a degree, or a minimum age to take this course?

You need a computer with internet access. Course books are mailed directly to you, and SMWW's technical support team will help with anything from microphone setup to troubleshooting. You must be eighteen or older, but no college degree is required.

What if I need one-on-one assistance?

SMWW staff are available by phone throughout the course for one on one help with coursework, live sessions, or career questions. Call 1 877 SMWW NOW in the United States and Canada, +44 0 871 288 4799 in the United Kingdom, or +1 503 445 7105 from anywhere else. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon, and London, England.

Do you have more questions?

Call the office and ask! 1-877-SMWW-Now in the US or Canada. In London at +44(0) 871 288 4799. Everywhere else at +1-503-445-7105

Testimonials:

Brendan Keyes

Brendan Keyes Soccer School

I have taken courses all over the world, including national courses with USSF and FAI. I want to tell you the soccer management course is the best I have participated in. Not only did I learn a lot, I also had the opportunity to make several new contacts. The SMWW team was fantastic. They made themselves available throughout the course. I highly recommend this course to my friends and anyone who loves sports.

Christos Anagnostopoulos

This was not the first time attending an on-line course with regards to sport industry. I dare to say though, that SMWW provided an opportunity that I haven't experienced before; interactive chats with my fellow students and expert teachers. This unique experience not only made me think even more positively about the on-line education, but also it gave me the chance to exchange views with people from all continents who share the same passion: soccer. The course was very well organised, addressing specific issues from the soccer industry as a whole. Various concerns or inquiries about the course have been easily and quickly resolved not only with the collaboration of tutors, but also with the very helpful "behind the scenes" SMWW staff. Although my passion is football/soccer, having completed the Soccer Management & Scouting I would not hesitate to enroll myself to another course as well, since the quality of SMWW' courses can ensure a career in the sport industry in general. SMWW= Value for money.

David Mahdi Koroma

I enrolled for the Soccer management and scouting course with no classroom or formal training in soccer. My soccer experience was from the streets and stadiums of West Africa and the little I gained when I was part-timing as a sports journalist. Though I have a very demanding work schedule (I work twelve hours a day) I decided to go for the soccer management and scouting course so I can help the young folks in my country develop their soccer talents. Since day one when I started the course there was no turning back! I have not only learned a lot about tactics, discipline and scouting but also the management aspect of the game. Derek was very helpful and always at hand to answer our questions. After graduating from this course I would definitely recommend it to all of my friends.

Eyiwunmi Dada Oluwajuwon

I`m happy I did this course, because it gave me knowledge about soccer business. When I went to interview a staff of a professional soccer club, it gave me the opportunity to even advertise myself as an undergraduate soccer Scout. I`m happy that I had the opportunity to know Dr. Lashbrook, Derek Bragg, and John Print. I`m just glad I made the right decision to do this course. I am now a FIFA Agent!

Gustavo Moure

FIFA Agent - Argentine Football Association

The Soccer Management and Scouting course was very helpful. While taking this course, I was able to learn more soccer tactics and I've learned more of what it takes to manage a club. This course has given me the opportunity to improve aspects of my sports agency.

Ian Millar

I enrolled on the SMWW Soccer Management & Scouting Course as I wanted an insider's perspective on the world of soccer. The course was very comprehensive, with weekly assignments covering key topics like the ethos & philosophy of a soccer club, different playing styles from around the globe, my own dream team, transfers, and the sport's relationship with the media. However, the main focus was on analysing a player from a set match, a team and a goalie in order to write a scouting report. This took up three weeks. The assignments were no push-over and I had to do a weekly study plan so as to submit them on time. Course resources were well written in clear & plain English, supported by diagrams.A DVD was also supplied for the scouting simulations. In addition there was a weekly chat session with a senior professional scout, Derek Bragg. Derek was able to answer any queries as well as give general support. He also kept us all on our toes with his questions! Despite the course expectations, I found following the course fun. In our interactive classroom there were students from America,Africa, Mainland Europe & the UK and it was interesting reading their postings and finding out about Football from different cultures. My footballing poems went down a treat,too! Now the exams are done & the course is over, its time to go out into the field and scout for real. Derek has offered follow-up support with this, & I now feel I have a good foundation, as well as having an insiders perspective on the world of soccer.

Juan Katrak

This course has taught me so much on the techinical aspects of soccer. For anyone interested in soccer scouting..this is a brillant course.

Matthew Martin

In the Soccer Manager and Scouting Course, I not only learned fundamentals to get me started on my dream, I developed the awareness that it takes to know that I won't just be a part of this career field - I will be a ground breaker in it!

Ricardo De Freitas Araujo

I have enjoyed the SMWW Soccer Management and Scouting course. I have coached soccer for 3 years at Middle School and High School level and this was definitely a different experience for me. I learned good fundamental procedures and steps in order to scout for talent and enhance a team's success. This was definitely worth the money I spent!