Coaches Across Borders
- Global Coaching Journeys -
Andrea Pintore - England
“Embrace every challenge as a lesson, stay true to your philosophy.”
Name: Andrea Pintore
Nationality: Italian
Home Town:
Countries coached in: England
Education:
Coaching certificates: UEFA B
Current situation
Country: England
Club: Westfield FC
Roles & Teams:
-
Favourite Team: Juventus
Favourite Coach: Francesco Farioli
Article published January 2026.
My Personal Journey
“So I had to step out of my comfort zone.”
Where did your coaching journey begin and how did it develop?
Italy.
What motivated you to pursue a coaching career abroad?
Watching my son playing football, and the desire to help kids to fall in love with the game.
Which country did you move to first, and why?
England, for work.
What were your biggest fears before leaving home?
I couldn't say a single word in English.
What surprised you the most when you arrived?
The language was a major hurdle for me early on, so I had to step out of my comfort zone and adapt my communication. The people were very patience and understanding .
Coaching Abroad:
Reality vs. Expectations
“Adapt your philosophy to different cultures, while maintaining your core identity.”
How does coaching abroad differ from coaching in your home country?
Coaching abroad forces you to adapt your philosophy to different cultures, player mindsets, tactical norms, and organisational structures, while maintaining your core identity. It’s not just a change of location, it’s a complete shift in how you communicate, teach, and solve problems on and off the pitch.
What were the biggest challenges you faced early on?
Language confidence, lack of vocabulary initially, to express my views.
What has been your most rewarding moment abroad?
My most most rewarding moment abroad was likely seeing my coaching philosophy take root in a different football culture, with my players really enjoying it. This is something that gives me more motivation to coach.
Advice for Coaches Wanting to Work Abroad
“Prepare to have an open mind”
What skills or qualifications helped you secure opportunities overseas?
Being adaptable and adventurous, take mistakes as opportunities. I studied sport and football and finally achieved the UEFA B in Wales, in a language that I would never thought would have been possible for me
What would you recommend coaches prepare before moving abroad?
Prepare to have an open mind, desire to learn and adapt to the culture and the environment.
What mistakes should coaches avoid when seeking jobs abroad
Difficult to say, as I think mistakes shape who you will be. So any experience will help to grow.
Life Beyond the Pitch
“Connect deeply with people from all background”
How did living abroad change you as a person?
Living abroad made me more adaptable, self-aware, and resilient, teaching me to navigate uncertainty and connect deeply with people from all backgrounds, especially off the pitch.
What does a typical day look like in your current role?
I work in the telecommunications industry, so I am always very active, providing customer service and support to people.
How do you balance football with life in a new country?
Tricky one. Football has a massive influence on my daily routine, as I am always thinking and talking about football with colleagues, friends and fellow coaches, but I try to maintain a good balance, with my job, family and football.
What cultural experiences have shaped you the most?
A bit of a mix really, such as food is a big one for me, but also the way I spend my free time, very different from my home country.
Would you encourage other coaches to take the leap abroad?
Absolutely, yes!
Final Inspiration
“Embrace every challenge as a lesson, stay true to your philosophy.”
What legacy do you hope to leave in the England?
It will be about shaping a culture of learning, resilience, and passion for the game that lasts long. But having kids and players to recognise that.
What’s next for your coaching journey?
It will be the UEFA A, even though it is a bit out of my hands at the moment, as I have been rejected already 4 times. But I am not giving up.
What message would you give to a young coach dreaming of working overseas?
Step out of your comfort zone, go, adapt, and observe more than you teach, embrace every challenge as a lesson, stay true to your philosophy, and let the experience shape you as much as you shape it.