Coaching is a profession that supports both physical and mental development of athletes and requires technical knowledge and skills as well as multifaceted skills such as leadership, communication and motivation. Coaches not only improve the individual performance of athletes, but also encourage the development of team spirit, solidarity and social skills. Coaches' roles include teaching technical skills, motivating the team, providing psychological support and managing group dynamics. Competences are analysed under four main headings: intellectual competences include analytical thinking and strategic planning, while character competences focus on leadership and vision development. Social competences include communication and relationship management skills, while psychological competences strengthen athletes' capacity to increase motivation and cope with stress. Current coaching models include authoritarian, liberal and democratic approaches. A successful coach plays an important role in guiding his/her athletes at individual and team level and in their sport life and personal development. Research shows that the knowledge, skills and competences of coaches directly affect the performance of athletes. As a result, coaching is not only a profession based on technical knowledge, but also a field of guidance and mentoring that supports the development of individuals and teams. Successful coaches in the future should be open to continuous learning and promote a culture of development by using technology effectively and collaborating with their athletes. The personal and professional development of coaches will remain important as a critical factor in the success and sustainable performance of athletes.