For Jamaican football Coach Miguel Coley, the proverbial grass is greenest in the desert sands of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Apart from holding posts with top clubs playing in the elite divisions, the former Jamaica College coach is eking out a comfortable life in the oil-rich region from football touchlines and classrooms.

In addition to his growing coaching credentials since first arriving in the Middle East with mentor, German Winfried Schaefer, a few years back, Coley has taken his coaching qualification levels to new heights.

In November, he completed one of, if not, the highest coaching certification — the prestigious Pro Licence — at the Aspire Academy at his home base in Qatar.

“Firstly, I am grateful for all the persons who have helped me to this point for acquiring a Pro Licence in another confederation other than yours which is so difficult,” Coley told the Jamaica Observer recently from his home in the UAE. He said that “every one to two years a cohort of 20 to 26 across the entire continent [of Asia] is selected in a particular country that meets the requirements”.

In his cohort he claimed there were coaches from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, France, Mongolia, Syria, Qatar, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Kuwait, and Jamaica.

The Pro Licence, Coley explained, gives power to coach the game at the highest professional level.

“It means I am now qualified to coach any professional team as head coach, so it makes me more marketable and more respected in the football world. So I look forward to new opportunities and doors that were once closed now opening,” he reasoned.

Coley, who had already possess an A Licence, says it took four years for him to gain the latest certification. And the course was as diverse as the nationalities that took part.

“You have to work a minimum of two years as an A Licence coach before you can apply for a Pro Licence. The Pro Level takes one year of practical, assessments; individual and group work; some areas managing staff and players at the professional level; dealing with media; ‘planification’ as it relates to your preseason, in season, offseason; game analysis, creating your game model; psychology; making videos of your sessions over two eight weeks period; club visit; assessment at your club; mentorship; tactical planning and assessments, just to name a few,” he noted.

Coley, who was assistant Reggae Boyz coach when Schaefer was at the helm, says with his new coaching qualification, he does intend to seek greener pastures.

“I am targeting Asia and Concacaf for the next five years, and Europe after. However, if doors open up in Europe now, I ready for sure.

“Also, I am always interested in coaching my country and I am also interested in coaching education within my region to help develop the level of the coaches,” he stated.

Coley is currently a coaching instructor of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and also did “work with Concacaf as an instructor back in 2017”.

Even as his coaching credentials are at enviable levels, the Manchester native thought he would be further along in his football coaching career. Still, his list of accomplishments would turn heads.

“Five years ago I thought I would be further, but I am so grateful of what I am able to accomplish so far in football. Just imagine, a little kid from Mile Gully [Manchester] becoming probably the first home-grown Jamaican to acquire a Pro Licence; also the youngest coach to coach in a COPA America match; first Jamaican coaching at the professional level in Asia, winning titles outside the region and the list goes on,” Coley noted.

“I know I have grown tremendously because I have been more exposed to different methodologies, high level of players and management and I have acquired new knowledge along the way.,” he added.

Coley, who is currently head coach of Qatari professional club Umm Salal FC’s Under-23s, says he feels at home in the region and has stayed there for professional and personal development opportunities that abound and which he has made the best of.

“What has kept me there is job opportunities and the chance to progress through their education system.

“The middle region has offered me a home to enhance my coaching ability and develop my management skills in dealing with diverse players and management. Also, some of the best players in the world finish their careers in this region — and most of them, like myself, have fallen in love with countries they play in,” said Coley.

Even as he seeks to grow his career outside his homeland, Coley thinks that Jamaica’s coaching landscape is rich with potential and talent, but urged coaches to make big steps in efforts to self-actualise in this lucrative and rewarding area of football work.

“Coaches need to align themselves well, seek opportunities outside of what is offered, keep turning up until the ‘no’ becomes ‘yes’; manifest what you want, value their time, be respected and be respectful.

“I do believe many of our coaches are doing well, but we need [local] competitions to improve so you can evaluate the level much more, but overall things are looking up in the coaching fraternity and many young coaches are emerging with their ideas,” he shared.

Coley, who came to national prominence at home as a successful schoolboy coach at Jamaica College, was disappointed the school ended the last season outside the accustomed glitter of titles and trophies.

“It’s difficult to be at a top level every year, but at Jamaica College it’s required. I am happy they were able bounce back and make it to the Walker Cup final as that is important to the programme. However, I know the programme is in good hands and you can see the Under-16s making it to two finals and Under-14 dropping out at the semi-final stage of their competitions. Hence, I have full confidence that next year will be better and more champions and championships will be achieved,” he ended.