FOCUS MBA equips you with the skills and tools to win in every critical moment of your leadership.

Starts on October 12, 2026
Executive Diploma in Sport Leadership
A high-level executive program for current and aspiring leaders responsible for people, strategy, alignment, and performance in sport organizations.
- 3-month, 3-5 hours weekly
- Blended, Online + On-campus
- 100% Flexible, possible to complete all online
Learn from elite leaders like:

Les Reed
Elite Football Executive

Simone Lewis
ex-Chief Culture Officer, Right to Dream
Starts on October 12, 2026
Executive Diploma in Sport Leadership
A high-level executive program for current and aspiring leaders shaping people, strategy, alignment, and performance in modern sport organizations.
- 3-month, 3-5 hours weekly
- Blended, Online + On-campus
- 100% Flexible, possible to complete all online
Learn from elite leaders like:

Les Reed
Elite Football Executive

Simone Lewis
ex-Chief Culture Officer, Right to Dream
Our alumni work at






















Program overview
As leaders move into broader responsibility, success depends less on technical expertise alone and more on the ability to align people, communicate direction, shape culture, and make decisions across the organization.
The Executive Diploma in Sport Leadership helps current and aspiring leaders develop the judgment, influence, and organizational perspective required to lead effectively in modern sport environments.
You will learn how to...
- Identify misalignments between leadership behaviour, organizational structure, and performance demands
- Communicate direction, purpose, and priorities with greater clarity
- Navigate the first 100 days in role with confidence and focus
- Extend influence across departments, stakeholders, and professional groups
- Shape culture, accountability, and collaboration to improve performance
- Make strategic decisions under pressure and uncertainty
- Prepare for broader leadership responsibility in sport organizations
Program format
- Module 1: On-Campus, London / November 17, 2025
- Module 5: On-Campus, Brussel / February 09, 2026
- Module 6: On-Campus, at Club Brugge / February 10, 2026
- On-campus courses will be available online with live streaming so it is possible to complete the full program online.
This program includes
- Interactive, live lessons in an enjoyable set
- Guided feedback & reflection
- Lifetime access to course materials
- Highly flexible, fits into busy schedules
- Global cohort unlocking new opportunities
- Direct access to professors
- Diploma awarded upon completion
- 10% lifetime Alumni discount
Program director

Les Reed
Les Reed is a highly respected football executive known for delivering rapid, strategic impact across his roles. His ability to bring clarity, structure, and momentum early in his tenures makes him the ideal leader for this program.
Schedule an info meeting
Choosing the right program matters. If you need clarity on the curriculum, admissions, or fit for your role, our advisors are available to help.
Get all the details
You can download the brochure here, covering everything you need to know about the program.

- Starts on October 12, 2026
- 3-month, 3-5 hours weekly
- Blended, Online + On-campus
- 100% flexible, possible to complete all online
Who joined FOCUS leadership programs








Built for action
The program is structured around five leadership dimensions required in modern sport organizations.
01 | High Performance Leadership in Sport
This module focuses on leadership behaviour, emotional regulation, communication, decision-making, accountability, and performance culture in high-pressure environments.
Key Outcomes
- Stronger self-awareness and leadership identity
- Better communication under pressure
- Improved emotional control and decision-making
- Greater confidence handling conflict and tension
- Practical tools for accountability and team culture
02 | The First 100 Days of a Sports Leader (in-person)
This module focuses on creating early credibility, clarity and momentum and helps participants understand how leaders build trust, diagnose organizations, manage expectations, and create impact during leadership transitions.
Key Outcomes
- A structured approach to leadership transitions
- Better stakeholder and relationship management
- Improved organizational diagnosis capability
- Greater confidence setting priorities and direction
- Practical tools for creating early momentum
03 | Building High-Impact Organizational Structures
Strong organizations require clarity, alignment, decision flow, operational rhythm, and the right people in the right positions. This module focuses on how leaders improve organizational effectiveness inside sport environments.
Key Outcomes
- Better understanding of organizational effectiveness
- Improved role clarity and accountability structures
- Stronger decision-making systems
- Greater operational alignment across departments
04 | Teaming
This module equips sport leaders with the mindset, tools, and structures required to build effective collaboration across roles and departments, especially in environments where coordination must be fast, trust-based, and adaptable.
You’ll learn how to lead through psychological safety, structured teaming routines, and informal influence, enabling you to get things done even when you don’t “own” the people or the decision.
Key Outcomes
- Better cross-functional collaboration
- Improved influence without hierarchy
- Stronger feedback and learning cultures
- Greater alignment across teams and departments
05 | Leading Strategy
Executive leaders must connect long-term direction with operational execution while managing pressure, uncertainty, and organizational complexity.
This module focuses on strategic thinking, prioritization, transformation, alignment, and sustainable advantage in sport organizations.
Key Outcomes
- Stronger strategic thinking capability
- Better prioritization and resource allocation
- Improved organizational alignment
- Greater confidence leading transformation
- Stronger connection between strategy and execution
Led by leaders who've done it

Les Reed / Elite Football Executive
Former FA Technical Director and Executive Director of Football at Southampton FC. Led back-to-back promotions, developed leaders like Paul Mitchell and Ross Wilson, and built cultures generating over €450M through player trading.

Simone Lewis / ex-Chief Culture Officer, Right to Dream
Former Right to Dream, Premier League and FIFA executive shaping leadership and culture frameworks across football. Expert in people development and high-performance environments.
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Grow with peers. Lead with purpose. Join the professionals driving change.

Les has significant experience and credibility in World Football on all levels and a high profile. He is an expert in Club Strategy and High Performance. He's held executive roles at orgs like The FA and Southampton.
Les Reed
Elite Football Advisor

Vincent Mannaert / Sports Director, The Belgian FA
Sports Director, The Belgian FA
Vincent was CEO of Club Brugge for thirteen years, during which he achieved six Belgian Championship titles, one Belgian Cup, and six qualifications for the Champions League group stage.
Led by elite leaders who have done it

Les Reed / Elite Football Executive
Les has significant experience and credibility in World Football on all levels and a high profile. He is an expert in Club Strategy and High Performance. He's held executive roles at orgs like The FA and Southampton.

Vincent Mannaert / Sports Director, The Belgian FA
Vincent was CEO of Club Brugge for thirteen years, during which he achieved six Belgian Championship titles, one Belgian Cup, and six qualifications for the Champions League group stage.

Dévy Rigaux / Director of Football, Club Brugge
Dévy oversees transfers, contracts, and sporting operations, stressing transparency with players and balancing sporting ambition with financial discipline. Known for a modern, structured approach, he has driven Brugge’s value-driven transfer strategy.

Les Reed / Elite Football Executive
Les has significant experience and credibility in World Football on all levels and a high profile. He is an expert in Club Strategy and High Performance. He's held executive roles at orgs like The FA and Southampton.
Watch A Sample Class
Learn from elite experts who apply their expertise at elite level football.
High-impact learning

About this program
Focus MBA in Football Management, guided by a faculty of world-class professionals, is designed to evolve into a leader who drives positive change and fosters a better future for yourself and for your organization.
With this program, you will earn two additional Professional Certificates in Sporting Directorship and High Performance Leadership in Sports to create the ideal skillset for the role you want post-graduation—with just 8 months of part-time, flexible study.
Key Benefits
Triple Certification
Earn the Focus MBA in Football Management Diploma, plus additional certifications in Sporting Directorship and Leadership Excellence in Sports.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Covers all aspects of football club management, from leadership and strategy to finance and operations.
Flexible Learning
80% online with 20% on-site modules + option to complete at your own pace is available, allowing you to balance your career with your studies.
Global Network
Learn with like-minded professionals from all around the world, building valuable connections and unlocking new opportunities.
World-Class Faculty
Learn from industry leaders and experts who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
Practical & Interactive Learning
Gain actionable strategies and frameworks that you can apply immediately in your professional role in a highly interactive environment.
Exclusive On-Site Experiences
Participate in immersive on-site modules led by Les Reed, including elite-level guest lecturers and Premier League club visits in London.
Purposefully Affordable
Experience world-class education without the premium price, in line with our mission, we make it accessible for aspiring leaders in football management.
Key Details
Start
- 14. October 2024
Duration
- 8-month, PArt-time
Format
- 80% of Online, Live, Interactive
- 20% of Onsite Module combined with club visits
Tuition Fee
- 6500 Swiss francs
- Join with a friend, both get 10% Discount
✓ Installment plans available with no interest.
✓ Employer sponsorship. Convince your manager by using this template.
✓ Enroll 3+ people and get a special group discount. Get in touch
- Starting on October 12, 2026
- Blended, Online + On-campus
