The Matchday Planner helps you go into every game with a clear tactical plan. Select your squad, set your formation, add what you know about the opposition, and the AI generates a full matchday briefing — player roles, key instructions, and the thinking behind your tactics. Here's how to use it, step by step.
Step 1: Open the Matchday Planner
Log in at coachai.uk and click Matchday Planner in the navigation bar. You can also access it from your dashboard. Click through to open the planner.
Step 2: Select Your Squad
Choose the players available for the match from your squad list. Tick each player who is turning up. The AI uses your squad to populate the formation and write individual player instructions, so only select the players who will actually be there.
If your players aren't appearing in the list yet, add them to your squad via the Squad section in your dashboard first. The Matchday Planner works best once your squad is set up.
Step 3: Choose Your Formation and Match Format
Select your match format (e.g. 7v7, 9v9, 11v11) and then pick your formation from the available options for that format. The formation you choose determines the tactical shape the AI builds around, so pick the one that best suits your players.
Step 4: Add Opponent Information (Optional but Worth It)
If you know anything about the opposition, add it here. This can include their typical formation, how they defend or press, their key players, or anything your players need to be aware of. This step is optional — the AI will generate a plan without it — but a few notes about the opponent makes the tactical briefing significantly more relevant and specific.
Step 5: Set Match Context and Notes
Add any extra context relevant to the match. For example: "We've been conceding from set pieces," "Focus on building from the back," or "This is a cup final — confidence is key." These notes shape the tone and priorities of the briefing the AI produces.
Step 6: Generate the Plan
Click Generate Plan. The AI will produce your full matchday briefing in seconds. A progress indicator will show while it's working.
Step 7: Read the Tactical Briefing
Your plan is broken into clearly labelled sections:
- Formation Rationale — Explains why the chosen formation suits your squad and the context you provided.
- Player Roles — A brief description of what each player is expected to do in and out of possession.
- Key Instructions — The two or three tactical priorities you want the team to execute — things like "press high when we lose the ball" or "get runners behind their defensive line early."
- Opponent Notes — If you added opponent info, this section reflects how your plan accounts for their style of play.
Read through the briefing before the match and use it as the basis for your team talk.
Step 8: Save the Plan and Access It on Matchday
Click Save Plan to store it in your account. On matchday, open CoachAI, go to the Plans tab, and find your saved matchday plan. It's all there — no printing required, though you can copy the text if you prefer to have it on paper.
Tips and Common Questions
Set up your squad first. The Matchday Planner is most useful when your players are already added to the system. The AI can only write tailored player instructions if it knows who's in your squad.
Add opponent information even if it's rough. You don't need a detailed dossier — even a line like "they play 4-3-3 and press high" gives the AI something to work with. More context always produces a sharper plan.
Can I generate multiple plans for the same match? Yes. If the first briefing doesn't feel right, adjust your inputs and generate again. Different context notes or a changed formation will produce a meaningfully different plan.
Where do I find old matchday plans? All saved plans are in the Plans tab in your CoachAI dashboard. They're stored chronologically so you can look back at previous matches too.