Background and Study Aim: Coaches` role in sports is crucial. Their emotional intelligence and behaviour affect athletes` motivational processes. This study cognitive aim is knowledge about the interrelations among emotional intelligence, coaching behaviour and psychological need satisfaction. Material and Methods: Participants were 228 taekwondo athletes registered in a South Korean university federation. Data included athletes` perceptions of their coaches, measured and collected using the Emotional Intelligence Scale, Controlling Coaching Behavior Scale, Autonomy-Supportive Scale and Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale. Results: First, emotional intelligence positively predicted psychological need satisfaction and autonomy-supportive behaviour and negatively predicted controlling coaching behaviour. Second, controlling coaching behaviour negatively predicted psychological need satisfaction. We did not find a mediating effect of coaching behaviour on the relation between emotional intelligence and psychological need satisfaction. Conclusions: Emotional intelligence was found as a positive predictor of PNS and AS and a negative predictor of CCB. Only CCB was negatively associated with PNS. However, we did not find the mediating effect of AS and CCB. These findings show that coaches` EI could be a key characteristic in enhancing coaching effectiveness as they show their athletes more supportive and not controlling behaviours, thus satisfying their athletes` psychological needs. Therefore, we should consider EI as part of coaching skills and educate the public on its importance.
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