About Us - Competitive Edge English

About Competitive Edge English

Helping Football Professionals Communicate with Confidence

Competitive Edge English was created to help football professionals communicate clearly and confidently in the international game.

As football becomes increasingly global, English has become the common language between players, coaches, analysts, and staff from different countries.

Through practical training based on real football situations, Competitive Edge English helps professionals develop the communication skills needed to work effectively in international football environments.

Meet the Founder

Matt Slade

Founder, Competitive Edge English

Matt Slade is an English teacher with over 15 years of experience and has spent the past several years working exclusively with football professionals.

Through Competitive Edge English, he helps coaches, analysts, scouts, and players develop the communication skills needed to work confidently in international football environments.

His work focuses on practical communication used in real football situations — from explaining tactical ideas to presenting analysis and managing media interactions.

Experience at a Glance

What Matt’s Clients Say

Dominik Thalhammer

Former Head Coach — LASK

“After working with Matt, I gained much more clarity and confidence in my football-specific language.”

Michael Wimmer

Head Coach — SSV Jahn Regensburg

“Before the programme, I didn’t feel fully confident communicating in English. After working with Matt, I felt much better prepared and it became much easier to communicate with my team.”

Corinne Diacre

Head Coach — Olympique de Marseille

“Before the program I wasn’t confident explaining drills because I lacked the specific vocabulary. After working with Matt, my confidence and football vocabulary improved significantly.”

Experience in the Global Game

Competitive Edge English has supported football professionals from clubs, associations, and national teams across the international game.

This experience ensures the training is grounded in the real communication challenges professionals face in modern football.

Trusted by professionals from clubs and organisations such as.

Trusted by professionals from clubs and organisations such as:

Professionals From Across the Global Game

Competitive Edge English works with coaches, analysts, scouts, and players from across the international football ecosystem. Professionals involved in the training come from environments such as:

This diverse community allows football professionals from different backgrounds to develop their communication skills together.

What Professionals Say

“Before working with Competitive Edge English, I felt I couldn’t fully transfer my communication strength into English. Through the program I gained much more confidence and now speak more self-assuredly in football situations.”

Fabian Friedrich

Former Head of Match Analysis — RB Leipzig

“Through the program with Competitive Edge English, I learned professional football terminology that I now use actively in communication, match analysis, and scouting. The program improved my work significantly.”

Stefan Tarkovič

Technical Director — Slovak Football Association

“Before the course, I lacked the vocabulary to explain exercises and communicate clearly with my players. After working with Competitive Edge English, I gained the specific language and confidence to control situations on the pitch.”

Mateo García Barco

UEFA Pro Licence Coach

“Before working with Competitive Edge English, I often struggled to find the right words in coaching conversations. Now I speak with much more confidence both on and off the pitch.”

Stefan Schoberer

Head Coach — Red Bull Akademie Salzburg U16

A Football-Specific Approach

Competitive Edge English focuses on communication used in real football environments rather than general language learning.

Training is built around situations where football professionals actually use English, including:

This ensures the language professionals learn is immediately useful in their work.

Take the Next Step

Whether you are an individual football professional or part of a football organisation, there are two ways to get involved.

For Individual Football Professionals

Join the Football English Club

Develop your communication through structured lessons, live sessions, and a global community of football professionals.

For Football Organisations

Work With Competitive Edge English

Clubs, associations, and football organisations can partner with us to support the communication development of their coaches, analysts, scouts, and staff.