Department: Medical & Sports Science

Reports To: Head of Medical / Head of Performance

Location: Al Ain Football Club Training Ground & Match Venues

Job Summary:

Al Ain Football Club is seeking a highly qualified and experienced First Team Sports Psychologist to join our medical and performance team. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing player mental resilience, motivation, focus, and overall psychological well-being. Working closely with players, coaches, and medical staff, the psychologist will develop mental performance strategies, support player mental health, and contribute to team success through applied sports psychology.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Mental Performance Enhancement

• Develop individualized mental skills training programs to enhance player focus, confidence, and resilience.
• Implement visualization, goal-setting, and mindfulness techniques to optimize performance under pressure.
• Assist players in handling high-pressure situations, such as penalty shootouts, big matches, and leadership roles.
• Work with coaching staff to integrate psychological strategies into training sessions and match preparation.

2. Player Mental Health & Well-Being

• Provide confidential psychological support and counseling for players facing stress, anxiety, or performance-related issues.
• Offer mental health intervention and crisis support, including stress management and emotional regulation techniques.
• Identify and address signs of burnout, depression, or off-field struggles affecting performance.
• Promote a positive mental health culture within the squad, reducing stigma around seeking psychological support.

3. Team Cohesion & Leadership Development

• Conduct team-building workshops to enhance squad unity, leadership, and communication.
• Work with team captains and senior players to develop strong leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Provide psychological insights for team dynamics, motivation, and morale boosting.

4. Injury Recovery & Rehabilitation Support

• Assist injured players in coping with setbacks, motivation loss, and anxiety during the rehabilitation process.
• Develop mental recovery plans to ensure a confident and positive return to play.
• Work closely with physiotherapists and medical staff to provide psychological support during long-term injuries.

5. Matchday & Training Responsibilities

• Offer pre-match psychological preparation, including relaxation and focus techniques.
• Provide real-time mental coaching during high-stakes matches and penalty shootouts.
• Work closely with coaching staff to assess player mental readiness before and after games.
• Offer post-match debriefing and psychological analysis to address mental challenges.

6. Player Education & Workshops

• Conduct regular workshops on mental resilience, self-discipline, and pressure management.
• Provide guidance on handling social media criticism, fan expectations, and public scrutiny.
• Educate academy and younger players on mental toughness and transitioning to first-team football.

7. Psychological Research & Data Analysis

• Stay updated on sports psychology research and implement evidence-based techniques.
• Use player psychological assessments (e.g., personality profiling, stress testing) to tailor support strategies.
• Collaborate with sports scientists to analyze mental performance data and optimize training methods.