FOCUS MBA in Football Strategy and Leadership
Taught by experts like:
Les Reed
Elite Football Advisor
Daniel Martin
CFO, RedBird
Gregg Broughton
Sporting Director, Chicago Fire
Our alumni work at
Program overview
In any technical department leadership roles, you’re expected to deliver clarity in a space that constantly shifts — to define structure, align people, implement vision, and lead under pressure.
This program is where technical leaders learn to think and operate like strategic architects — not just within their own departments, but across the full football operation.
The FOCUS MBA in Football Strategy and Leadership is a 6-month executive leadership program that teaches you how to build aligned football departments, manage internal dynamics, drive long-term performance, and make decisions with impact.
This program will reframe how you think, how you lead, and how you shape the sporting side of your club — guided by the elite pros who’ve already done it.
You will learn how to...
- Lead with clarity under pressure and build high-performing cultures (HPLS)
- What to prioritize — and what to avoid — in your first 100 days at a new club
- How to build a modern and progressive football strategy that goes beyond words
- How to manage technical operations, departments, staff, and structures under one system
- How to align academy, scouting, data, and performance into a unified model
- Build talent development frameworks aligned with club identity
- How to make decisions under pressure, lead teams, and build long-term culture
- Manage sporting budgets, contracts, and squad investment decisions
- Navigate transfer systems, regulations, and legal frameworks with confidence
Who is this program for
- Current and aspiring Sporting/Technical Directors
- Heads of All Technical Departments
- Recruitment or Scouting Leaders and Staff
- Academy Leaders and Staff
- Active and former footballers
- Coaching staff
- Club Executives
- Experienced Player Agents
Program format
- Module 2: On-Campus, London / November 19-21, 2025
- Module 5: On-Campus, Brussel / February 11-12, 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.
At The FA, he led the restructuring of elite player development, while at Southampton, he built a high-performance model that delivered sustained Premier League success. Most recently, at Wrexham AFC, he laid the groundwork for the club’s ambitious rebuild.
His ability to bring clarity, structure, and momentum early in his tenures makes him the ideal leader for this program.
- October 13, 2025
- 80% Online + 20% in-person
- 100% Flexible, possible to complete all online
- Payable in installments
Modern Football Education
Our blended learning journey provides a holistic and flexible learning framework for professionals, combining technical cores of modern football club management with advanced skills in leadership and management.
You’ll go through a wide array of subjects, all focused on leading with influence and driving organizational success in the world of football.
- 📈 92% of students report increased confidence in leadership and management skills after this course.
The first 100 days in a sports leadership role can define long-term success — or signal early failure.
This unique program will show you how to turn that critical period into a strong foundation for leadership and lasting impact.
You’ll develop practical skills in setting clear priorities, navigating internal politics, and making confident decisions under pressure — all grounded in real-world football leadership.
Great clubs have a clear football strategy and they execute it across departments, seasons, and leadership changes. This module guides Sporting Directors and technical leaders in turning strategic intent into daily reality. From defining your game model to aligning departments and managing drift, you’ll build the systems, rhythms, and leadership behaviors required to embed your football strategy across the organization.
Recruitment is a key driver of sporting success and long-term club value. This module equips senior professionals with the tools and leadership approaches to build and oversee a high-performing recruitment function aligned with the club’s identity and strategy.
You will learn to shape recruitment philosophies, integrate data and scouting insights, and lead collaborative decision-making across technical, scouting, and coaching teams—balancing structured systems with informed judgement.
Academies are strategic engines for identity, sustainability, and value creation.
This module equips leaders with the insight and tools to design future-ready academies, build effective player pathways, and align youth development with first-team and business goals.
Combining structural design, talent strategy, and player trading models, you will explore how to lead an academy that delivers both performance and return—on the pitch and in the balance sheet.
This module focuses on financial accounting, budgeting, and strategic planning tailored to the football industry.
You’ll learn about the economic analysis of the club’s assets, revenue streams, and cost management. We’ll cover how to create and interpret financial reports, manage transfer budgets and wage structures, and ensure compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Additionally, you’ll develop skills in forecasting and financial planning specific to squad management. With these insights, you’ll be prepared to handle the financial complexities of running a football club effectively.
Format: Project-based learning allowing students to engage directly with real-world business issues or entrepreneurial ventures within football. The live business project gives you the flexibility to explore an entrepreneurial venture in the football sector of your choice, or to tackle a football club business issue that is critical to your organization, which will help you stand out and deliver real value in the workplace. This is an opportunity to try something you’ve always wanted to do while gaining invaluable, practical business experience to enrich your CV.
High-impact learning
The FOCUS MBA equips you with the strategic, leadership, and organizational tools needed to lead confidently in modern football and deliver impact across the game.
Hear from our students
Designed for high-potential, highly-motivated professionals who are ready to excel.
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Who are in this program?
Below are some of students who already registered in this program.
Is Focus MBA right for you?
- Technical Leaders
- Sporting Directors
- Recruitment Staff
- Club Executives
- Scouting Staff
- Data & Analytics Staff
- Academy Staff
- Coaching Staff
- (ex) Footballers
- Sports Professionals
- Commercial and finance professionals
Hear from our students
Designed for high-potential, highly-motivated professionals who are ready to excel.
Learn from experts who have done it
Les Reed
CEO, Reed Consulting
anna edwards
Managing Partner, EPP
Laurent Colette
COO, Right to Dream
TOMMY WILSON
TD, Charlotte FC
Gregg Broughton
Sporting Director, Chicago Fire
dave slemen
Founding Partner, EPP
gareth henderby
Academy TD, Right to Dream
Jacob Naish
Head of Purpose, Right to Dream
Federico Mari
Chief Strategy Officer, FC32
rodrigo picchioni
Head of Analytics, Atletico
Mathieu Lacome
Chief Analytics Officer, Parma
Martin Preston
Consultant, Premier League
Warren Engelbrecht
Founder, We Guide Heroes
Purposefully Affordable
Start your application now
Grow with peers. Lead with purpose. Join the professionals driving change.
Learn more about this program
At FOCUS Sports Education, we understand the evolving landscape of football management in the modern era. Our MBA course embraces cutting-edge methodologies and contemporary practices to ensure students are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of today’s football industry. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical applications, students gain a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in football management, setting them apart as leaders in the field.
FOCUS MBA Football Strategy & Leadership offers a holistic learning experience that goes beyond traditional classroom teachings. Our program provides students with access to industry experts, networking opportunities, and real-world projects to enhance their learning journey. From strategic planning and financial management to talent acquisition and marketing strategies, our curriculum covers a wide spectrum of topics essential for success in football administration.
Embark on a specialized journey in football management by participating in the FOCUS MBA Football Strategy & Leadership Course. Tailored to meet the unique demands of the football industry, this program delves deep into the intricacies of football administration, governance, and leadership. By immersing yourself in our specialized course, you’ll gain invaluable insights and practical skills that will set you apart in the competitive world of football management.
Experience a modernized approach to football education with FOCUS MBA Football Strategy & Leadership. Our dynamic curriculum is designed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving landscape of the football industry, ensuring that students are equipped with the latest knowledge and best practices. Through interactive learning modules, case studies, and hands-on experiences, students gain a comprehensive understanding of football management principles and strategies that are relevant in today’s global context.
In addition to our FOCUS MBA Football Strategy & Leadership program, FOCUS Education offers a wide range of MBA programs catering to various disciplines within sports management. Explore our diverse offerings by visiting our MBA programs page and discover the opportunities awaiting you in the world of sports management. Join us at FOCUS Education and take the first step towards a rewarding career in football management.
Yes, most of our students work full-time. That’s why we’ve designed our programs to be completely online and combination of live and self-paced learning – so they can work around the schedule of working professionals, not the other way around.
An accredited Master’s Degree comes with many constraints and expenses – that’s everything we’re working against. We do however provide graduates with the Focus MBA certificate, supported by elite professionals.
We operate independently from conventional academic institutions and accreditation authorities, resulting in a unique business model that diverges from that of accredited MBA programs. Our goal is to democratize access to high-quality business education by providing MBA-level courses at just 1% of the cost of traditional MBA programs.
The FOCUS MBA is a combination of live and self-paced learning, so completion times vary. Most students take between 8 months to finish the program.
FOCUS MBA programs offer a wide range of learning content. You will engage with your instructors with live sessions, participate in peer discussions, and enhance your knowledge with articles, case studies and many more supportive learning materials—all from your home or office.
If you have more questions, please contact us at hello@focussports.education. We’re happy to hear from you!
- Starts on October 13, 2025
Watch A Sample Class
Learn from elite experts who apply their expertise at elite level football.
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
- 14. October 2024
- 8-month, PArt-time
- 80% of Online, Live, Interactive
- 20% of Onsite Module combined with club visits
- 6500 Swiss francs
- Join with a friend, both get 10% Discount