Aldershot Town boss Dean Holdsworth eyes career progress

The football season may be over but the work continues for Aldershot Town manager Dean Holdsworth.

The 41-year-old will keep up his studies for the Uefa Pro Licence coaching badge with the Welsh Football Association.

"I'm eager to improve as a manager. Getting my Pro Licence will help me in the long term," he told BBC Surrey.

"It's the top award you can have as a coach. I'm eager to see how it can develop me to help my staff and develop the football club."

He added: "The more I do my badges, the more I love it. I'm getting addicted to coaching and management.

"The ups and downs you have give you great experience.

Dean Holdsworth factfile

Dean Holdsworth in action for Wimbledon
  • Made his debut for Watford in 1986-87
  • Had spells playing for Wimbledon and Bolton in the Premier League
  • Scored 218 goals in 642 career appearances
  • Won one cap for the England B team
  • Appointed Newport manager in May 2008
  • Led the Welsh side to the Blue Square Bet South title in 2009-10
  • Appointed Aldershot boss in January 2011
  • Record to date with the Shots: Played 78, won 31, drawn 22, lost 25

"Right now I seem to be like a sponge. I want more of it."

Last month Holdsworth attended a course at the Uefa  headquarters in Switzerland, which was attended by World Cup winner Marcel Desailly, former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and the current Wales manager Chris Coleman.

"There were some long seminar days but the invitation to go on that was brilliant for me," Holdsworth continued.

"To listen to them and take little bits and pieces away from them and their experiences was a great advantage."

Holdsworth, who had spells at Wimbledon and Bolton during his playing days, hopes he might be able to have the chance to coach abroad in the future once he attains the qualification.

"Having the Pro Licence will enable me to work anywhere around the world," he said.

"It's something that would excite me, long-term, if I ever had the chance to work in Italy or Spain.

"If you look at the England manager [Roy Hodgson], he's had his bag and travelled. You look at his CV and it's fantastic.

"I'd be prepared to learn and grow in different countries.

"It's about being a connoisseur of the game."