Executive Diploma in Sport Leadership_FOCUS Sports Business School
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.

Learn from elite leaders like:

les reed_focus sports business school_the first 100 days of a sporting director

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.

Learn from elite leaders like:

les reed_focus sports business school_the first 100 days of a sporting director

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...

Program format

This program includes

Program director

Les Reed

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.
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Name
How did you hear about this program?
Executive Diploma in Sport Leadership_FOCUS Sports Business School

Who joined FOCUS leadership programs

Director of Performance
Head of Athletic Performance
Managing Director
CFO
Director of Rehabilitation
MD of Academy
Head of Recruitment
Performance Director

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_focus sports business school_the first 100 days of a sporting director

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.

Hear from our students

Designed for high-potential, highly-motivated professionals who are ready to excel.

Inside FOCUS executive programs

Leaders from across the world working, debating, and growing together.

Join the success stories

The ongoing success of our graduates proves the high impact of our programs.

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Grow with peers. Lead with purpose. Join the professionals driving change.

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Personal Information

Full name

Professional Background

Years of experience in sports industry:
How did you hear about this program?
Les Reed
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

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_focus sports business school_the first 100 days of a sporting director

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.

Course_Recruitment, Squad Building and Transfer Operations_Devy Rigaux_FOCUS Sports Business School

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_focus sports business school_the first 100 days of a sporting director

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

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

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

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✓ 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

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