Jamshedpur, November 14: Jamshedpur FC’s assistant coach, Steven Dias, has secured his AFC Pro License Diploma, the highest coaching certification in football.
Dias, who has been with Jamshedpur FC for three seasons, completed the rigorous course’s five-module structure that began in August 2023. Starting with Module 1 in Chandigarh, the subsequent modules took place across Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and final module in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
Dias expressed gratitude to Jamshedpur FC for their support throughout his journey to attain the Pro License. “I joined Jamshedpur FC in the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach for the senior team. Back then, I still had a player’s mindset, viewing things from a player’s perspective. But after three seasons with the club, I’ve grown immensely, and my journey with JFC played a big role in securing my Pro License.”
The former national team midfielder described the Pro License experience as a blend of intensity and invaluable learning. “The Pro License course had five intense modules, each challenging in its own way. It’s all about team management, evaluating how you handle different in-game scenarios, motivate players, and make split-second decisions. It was a valuable learning experience, and the Pro License diploma has taught me so much.”
“When I was a player, I never imagined I’d step into coaching. But gradually, I developed an interest, and now, as a former player, I have a unique perspective on handling various situations—what works and what doesn’t. My playing experience helps me think from a player’s side, which I believe adds depth to my coaching approach,” he said.
He emphasized that the coaches should give importance to empower players rather than overwhelm them with information. “For other upcoming coaches, my advice would be to avoid overloading players with information. Sometimes we try to turn players into robots, but we should give them room to make their own decisions. They need more time with the ball and should play naturally, without being overwhelmed.”
Dias also praised his Pro License batch, which included experienced coaches and former players from various clubs. “My Pro License batch was filled with talented individuals—experienced coaches, former players—all doing great work with their respective clubs. It was inspiring to learn alongside them,” he remarked
