BSc (Hons) Football Studies
The course is designed and tailored for those individuals passionate about football, enthusiastic to learn from the game in order to reach their aspirations to work within it....
Jonas Munkvold
Jonas, Individual Development Lead and Analyst at Nottingham Forest Academy (U18) tells us how unique this Solent degree is.
Job title:Individual Development Lead and Analyst
Employer:Nottingham Forest Academy (U18)
Studied:BSc (Hons) Football Studies
Why did you choose Solent?
The football studies degree looked unique, different to the sport science and football science degrees elsewhere.
Can you talk a bit about any opportunities you had to get practical experience?
During my final year, I was part of the university team’s coaching staff. It was a great challenge and a huge learning opportunity for me to undertake multiple roles there. I started the season as Assistant Coach in a large technical staff to and ended the season as Head Coach. Everyone involved in the staff went on to exciting roles in football. This really highlights the great pool of talented coaches and analysts at Solent.
What did you take away from your time at Solent University?
Friends, industry connections, personal development. I will never forget my three years at Solent because of the great people I was able to study with.
Most lecturers had relevant experience from football clubs or local FA, that gave them a good mix of practical and theoretical understanding.
Tell us a little about your career so far.
After university, I moved back to Norway for a full-time coaching job at the Vålerenga academy. After one year, I got the opportunity to move back to England to coach at the Nottingham Forest academy. I’m now in my 4th season at the club, working as Individual Development Coach and Analyst with the U18s as well as the men’s Northern Ireland team where I’m one of two analysts.
What are you working on now?
I have started studying set pieces and look forward to implementing some of the findings across the coming season. I’m fascinated by how teams use their back line when pressing. Sporting CP and Fenerbahçe are incredible. Aston Villa too.
What tips would you give to someone wanting a career in your industry?
Connect with people and spend as much time as you can studying the game. Use the conversations and study to develop your own ideas of the game, how to play and how to train. It can be difficult to connect with people in the industry, but I find social media is a great platform to bridge those gaps.
Start making your own waves
Course studied
BSc (Hons) Sport Management
Develop your passion for sport, and progress to a successful career leading and managing sporting events and organisations on this CIMPSA accredited course.
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Gain a comprehensive understanding of sport and exercise performance with this BASES-endorsed degree that combines access to specialist facilities with professional placements and a hands-on learning.
