Remi Allen’s transition from player to coach has been a natural evolution—one fuelled by passion but shaped by the tough realities of the profession. Speaking on The Offside Rule podcast, Allen provided a candid insight into the challenges of coaching, particularly in the women’s game, where financial security, job stability, and long-term support remain major hurdles.
“I think for me, it was something that I was always doing whilst I was playing anyway,” Allen explained. “I’ve been coaching since I was about 16 years of age, quite a while. Really, really realised that I had a passion for it. And obviously, as I got older, I could start to see there is a potential pathway, albeit it’s a brutal world and it’s not easy to stay in and keep jobs.”
Allen’s comments highlight a growing issue in women’s football—keeping talented, qualified coaches in the game. While there is increasing demand for female coaches, the career pathway is not always financially viable.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say anyone sat there and sold it to me, because I don’t think it’s something that you can sell.”
Allen admitted. “I had a little bit of support from the PFA and the FA for some mentoring schemes whilst I was playing that allowed me to go and coach with England in the 23s. So that gave me an insight of what international football looked like. But more than anything, it was people within the game who I would go and seek out and confide in.”
The Cost of Becoming a Coach
One of the biggest barriers to entry for aspiring coaches is the cost of coaching qualifications. While Allen was fortunate to receive funding, she acknowledged that not everyone has the same financial support.
“For the courses, I wasn’t really out of pocket because the funding that I personally got covered about 80% or 90% of my UEFA B and UEFA A licenses,” she said. “But not everybody does. It can be a couple of two, three, four grand potentially for a UEFA license. It’s an investment and a long-term commitment.”
Even with the required qualifications, the financial returns are often minimal, especially at the early stages of a coaching career. Allen shed light on the reality of coaching salaries: “If you’re working at an academy level, you’re probably getting about £20 to £25 an hour. Then if you’re talking elite level in terms of tier three up to WSL, you can probably be going from £30k upwards. But in no capacity are we anywhere close to how the men function.”
The Brutality of Coaching Turnover
Perhaps the most striking part of Allen’s interview was her perspective on the instability of coaching jobs in women’s football. Having recently been let go from her role at Southampton, she reflected on the ruthless nature of the industry.
“I think it was the wrong decision,” Allen stated frankly. “If I’d had more time, I back myself to have had an impact—not necessarily this season, but in the bigger picture. There were a lot of challenges off the pitch, and I probably didn’t have as much support as I should have had.”
She also questioned whether women’s football is truly prepared for the managerial churn that is now mirroring the men’s game. “I don’t necessarily think the women’s game is ready for the way we’re almost behaving,” Allen said. “You can be in a job for six months and be gone. I think there was me, Laura Kaminski, Matt Beard—all lost our jobs within 24 hours. That’s insane.”
Her frustration was clear when discussing the lack of long-term vision from some clubs. “If clubs want high-end results, promotions, or Champions League competition, they have to back the manager and give them the tools to do that.
“The easiest thing is to sack the manager. Maybe sometimes rightly so, but I look at some of the managers who’ve been sacked recently, and it’s blown my mind.”
Rolling with the Punches
Despite the setbacks, Allen remains committed to coaching. But she admits the industry is not for the faint-hearted.
“You’ve kind of got to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” she said. “You either commit to this world and roll with the punches, or it’s probably not for you.”
Her honesty sheds light on the need for greater structural support in women’s football—not just for players, but for the coaches shaping the next generation. If the game is to continue growing, investment in long-term coaching stability must match the ambition on the pitch.
Listen to the full episode now.i
