IVAN RAYKOV

UEFA A Licensed Coach
Hello, I'm

Ivan Raykov

Creative and driven coach with a proven track record in player development at elite academies in Scotland and Bulgaria.

View Career Contact Me
location_on Glasgow, Scotland
call +44 (0) 7842 462 867
mail iraykov94@gmail.com

Qualifications

UEFA Logo
2025 UEFA A Licence
UEFA Logo
2021 UEFA B Licence
school
BA (Hons) Journalism & HR

Elite Academy Internships

Completed academy internships with leading Italian sides AC Milan and Atalanta, Spanish giants FC Barcelona, as well as the most productive academy in the last 15 years, S.L. Benfica

AC Milan Logo Atalanta Logo FC Barcelona Logo S.L. Benfica Logo
  • • Observed training sessions and participated in discussions with coaching staff and academy directors
  • • Engaged with multidisciplinary staff to understand holistic player development approaches
  • • Gained insight into the inner workings of elite professional academies

Career Trajectory

Greenock Morton FC Club Badge

Greenock Morton FC

U17 Lead Coach | 2026 - Present

Scottish Championship | Elite Academy Environment

  • • Directing technical and tactical development for U17 squad
  • • Seamless transition pathway to Professional Development Phase
  • • Integration of GPS metrics and advanced video analysis
  • • Match-day leadership and tactical decision-making
Hamilton Academical FC Club Badge

Hamilton Academical FC

Academy Coach (U11-U18) | 2023 - 2025

Scottish Championship | Elite Academy Environment

  • • Lead coaching across multiple Youth Development Phase age groups
  • • Match-based Individual Learning Plans using video analysis
  • • Multiple professional signings and senior football integration
  • • MDT contributor supporting holistic player development
Carolina Velocity FC Club Badge

Carolina Velocity FC

Head Coach (U10-U14) | 2024

United States | Competitive Youth Development

  • • Led coaching programmes across U10-U14 age groups
  • • Age-appropriate learning focused on decision-making
  • • Match-day operations and post-match reflection
  • • Positive, inclusive environment promoting ownership
Caledonian Braves FC Club Badge

Caledonian Braves FC

U23 Assistant Coach | 2023

Scotland | Senior High-Performance Environment

  • • Match preparation and in-game management support
  • • Opposition and self-analysis with video feedback
  • • Game-based learning from elite academy principles
  • • Individual Learning Plans linked to match performance
BSC Glasgow Club Badge

BSC Glasgow

2007 Head Coach | 2019 - 2022

Scotland | Foundation Phase Programme

  • • Long-term development of foundation-age squad
  • • Technical quality and confidence in possession
  • • Match observation driving individual development
  • • Strong relationships with players, parents, and staff
St Cadocs Club Badge

St Cadocs

U17 Head Coach | 2018 - 2019

Scotland | Youth Development Phase

  • • Clear playing style across training and match days
  • • Match-day operations and team selection
  • • Individual player development through targeted feedback
  • • Post-match reflection and analysis
Botev Plovdiv Club Badge

Botev Plovdiv

U10 & U11 Head Coach | 2016 - 2018

Bulgaria | Top-Tier Professional Academy

  • • Coached at one of Bulgaria's leading professional academies
  • • Players progressed to professional first-team debuts
  • • Early ILP principles accelerating decision-making
  • • Technical quality, game intelligence, and creativity focus
The Philosophy

Strong Culture.
Individual Growth.

My approach is centered on creating a strong team culture where every individual is empowered to develop. I believe in the holistic development of players, both technically and mentally.

Through innovative coaching programmes, I strive to unlock the full potential of each athlete, preparing them for the demands of elite football. It is about fostering an environment of continuous improvement and excellence.

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Team Culture

Unity and shared responsibility.

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Individual Development

Tailored plans for player growth.

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Innovation

Modern methodologies and programmes.

Achievements

Updated: 2026
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Player Pathways

Pro Signings

check_circle St Johnstone
check_circle Hamilton Academical
check_circle Stirling Albion
check_circle Ternana
flight_takeoff Elite

Professional Internships

  • AC Milan
  • Atalanta
  • Barcelona
  • Benfica
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Languages Spoken

Bulgarian 🇧🇬
English 🇬🇧
German 🇩🇪
Spanish 🇪🇸

Coaching Mission

Creating a strong team culture and development of individual players through innovative coaching programmes at the highest level.

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verified References

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Garry Miller

Head of Academy

Greenock Morton FC

lock Contact details available upon request

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David Garrett

Head of Youth

Hamilton Academical FC

lock Contact details available upon request

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Ricky Waddell

Head Coach

Caledonian Braves FC

lock Contact details available upon request

mail Request Reference Contact Details

play_circle Video Portfolio

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Coaching Methodology in Action

This playlist provides supporting video evidence for my coaching CV and highlights how I work with players in match-day environments.

Focus Areas

  • • Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) built from real match situations
  • • Player decision-making, supported by elite professional reference clips
  • • Collective team behaviours in possession, pressing, and quick transitions
  • • The link between match performance, reflection, and learning

Methodology

Each ILP clip shows a game moment involving one of my players, followed by a professional example used to support understanding and transfer of learning.

The intention is to demonstrate how players are helped to recognise situations, improve decisions, and apply learning back into games.

Collective clips highlight how my teams attempt to implement agreed principles during matches, rather than isolated moments or outcomes.

All footage is shared for recruitment and development context only and is unlisted.

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ILP Methodology

Game-Based Learning

Real match moments paired with elite professional examples to accelerate player understanding and decision-making.

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Team Principles

Collective Behaviours

Evidence of how teams implement agreed principles in possession, pressing, and transitions during competitive matches.

playlist_play View Full Playlist on YouTube

Detailed Resume

You can download my detailed resume from the link below

Updated 2026