Footballing excellence is part of our DNA!
Who are we?
Established in 2019 IFD - International Football Development is the direct result of a culmination of more than 25 years’ experience in the professional footballing world. Having its roots firmly planted with IFT (Individual Football Training) who have set the highest standard for more than 10 years our directors have established themselves as world class professionals with a proven methodology in developing and maintaining elite footballers globally.
It is with this history and knowledge that we proudly implement what we believe to be one of the world’s best international football development programs. Our system of combining individualized training, sports science, mental health and nutrition with professional club placement sets us apart from all others.
There are many facets to individual player development which are carefully and professionally critiqued throughout. To truly evolve however, you must be in a playing environment where this development can be implemented. It is this combination of specific individualized training with professional Club placement that makes IFD best in class.
IFD connects elite players with our highly ranked technical development professionals and provides them with exceptional experience in a safe environment while placing them within a professional club to truly PLAY, LIVE & LEARN.
In life as in football there must be balance which is why all IFD athletes have the opportunity to further excel academically.
Our 12-month Elite Pro student athletes have the opportunity to attend the Institute of Polytechnics IPMAIA where they can successfully complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Training and Education in combination with UEFA B Coaching License.
This is the ONLY football development program in the world where you can obtain such a recognized qualification whilst developing as a professional player.
This course requires 3 years of Tertiary Education split between class instruction and practical application and a further year as an Intern with a recognized UEFA registered Football Club. Your qualification at the end of four years will provide you with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Training and Education and UEFA B Coaching License thus putting you into a very elite segment of football professionals.
This course requires complete commitment and a focused understanding in order to reach your goal. As in attending any University globally your success is reflective of your effort, commitment and long-term ambition to reach those goals.
Four pillars of the UEFA B Diploma
The coach
Working between grassroots and elite football at youth and senior level.
Developing the players and the team in a manner appropriate to their ages and abilities.
Managing all aspects of individual and team performance and working with support staff.
Developing a clear methodology for what and how to teach, to cater to the needs of all players with a variety of backgrounds.
The player and environment
Developing learning outcomes for both individuals and the team.
Understanding the characteristics and playing positions to develop players within the team structure based on the relevant game format.
Allowing players to explore and experiment in the search for effective solutions.
Motivating players by means of suitable training sessions.
Providing feedback on training performance is a crucial part of the B License ©UEFA Training.
Planning and delivering training sessions that are challenging and meet the needs of the individual, groups and the whole team.
Managing, coaching and motivating the group of players effectively in order to achieve a skillful technical performance.
Integrating physical performance aspects into the coaching sessions.
Evaluating individual playing and social behaviors during training sessions and games.
The match
Planning effectively to improve the team’s performance.
Coaching the team in a suitable manner.
Evaluating individual and team performance during matches.
Analyzing and reflecting on performance using a variety of different methods in order to provide effective feedback to individual players and the team as a whole.
Coaching Convention Syllabus of minimum content: UEFA B diploma
Location
Clube Desportivo do Candal
Av. Mte. José Rodrigues, Vila Nova de Gaia
Contact
Why Portugal?
Football is part of our culture, our lives and our heritage. You cannot have a conversation about football without recognizing the importance Portugal has played in developing world class talent at the highest levels. As a Country of only 10 million Portugal has developed more top professional players than any other nation per capita. In addition to players, we are now seeing the same for Managers which is further testament to the quality and philosophy that Portugal embodies.
Portugal is Football and Football is Portugal,
This talent is fostered from a young age through proven systems and highly competitive standards that result in unprecedented quality. In addition to local talent, Portugal is known for recognizing international players who are subsequently polished and sold on to the biggest leagues in the world.
Portuguese Clubs in Braga, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, and Benfica are serious contenders on a global scale. They and many others are known for recognizing and developing talent. As mentioned above, Portugal has a vast scouting network from the lowest divisions to the biggest and best. It is commonplace that scouts, agents, and higher league representatives are present at multiple games throughout a season, further emphasizing the importance of playing with a professional club in recognized league games.
Players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Figo, Rui Costa, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot (Man Utd), Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, João Cancelo (Man City), André Silva (Leipzig) Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz (Liverpool) Joao Felix, Ederson and many others are examples of a system that works.
Portugal is the most profitable league in the transfer market 10 years running.
Where in Portugal?
Porto or Oporto (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpoɾtu] is the second-largest city in Portugal, the capital of the Porto District, and one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas.
Porto city proper, which is the entire municipality of Porto, is small compared to its metropolitan area, with an estimated population of just 231,962 people in a municipality with only 41.42 km2. Porto's metropolitan area has around 1.7 million people (2021) in an area of 2,395 km2 (925 sq mi), making it the second-largest urban area in Portugal. It is recognized as a global city with a Gamma + rating from the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, as "Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar".
The historic area is also a National Monument of Portugal. The western part of its urban area extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire. Its combined Celtic-Latin name, Portus Cale, has been referred to as the origin of the name Portugal, based on transliteration and oral evolution from Latin. In Portuguese, the name of the city includes a definite article: o Porto ("the port" or "the harbor"), which is where its English name "Oporto" comes from.
Port wine, one of Portugal's most famous exports, is named after Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport, and export of fortified wine.
In 2014 and 2017, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency. Porto is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago.
Why Us?
IFD is NOT a traditional Academy, we do not have a team, we do not play in social leagues, we do not play in tournaments! We cultivate talent by focusing on the individual in a professional environment whilst placing them with professional clubs that fit the players mental, physical and social qualities. This is a true professional pathway where those that are good enough actually play! Please note that we cannot guarantee a professional contract, however we can guarantee you will leave better than you arrived and that you will play with a professional club where you will be developed and seen during your time with us.
Minutes make masters, you have to play to develop.
The IFD Technical Development Team is made up of experienced professionals with Degrees in High Performance Sport, UEFA – A Licenses, Ex Professional Players, International Scouts, Sports Psychologists and recognized Business Leaders. This group of highly talented and motivated individuals bring a fresh approach in developing and guiding young athletes both academically and in their ambitions to play at the highest level.
Footballing excellence is part of our DNA
Through IFD and its various partnerships with clubs, universities and schools we can create a program that meets the players development needs. Every player must go through a talent identification process where you are critiqued in all aspects of football, fitness and mental preparedness. Only after this process will you be offered the opportunity to trial with clubs IFD feel are a good fit for both.
If you are a young player who is looking to progress IFD is the pinnacle in player development. Our proven individual methodology combined with professional club immersion has resulted in a 100% success rate. Every player that comes into IFD excels both on and off the pitch.
You get out what you put in, failure is not what we do.
Mission - Values & Objectives
At IFD we pride ourselves on being the best we can be and by providing a true pathway that follows the same values we demand of our athletes. To be the best you must be committed, focused and driven. It is our goal to create the world’s best player development program where we act as a direct conduit between player and club. There are literally millions of talented footballers who need that extra something which is where IFD specialize. Our reputation is such that Clubs seek us out for new talent and players who can immediately contribute to the Clubs success.
To become a world referenced development academy.
To help players develop and define their path both on and off the field.
To compliment professional clubs through readymade player development.
To make all of our players more complete.
Find out more about the International Football Development academy.