MBA in Football Strategy and Leadership
Learn from change-maker leaders like:
Les Reed
Elite Football Advisor
Vincent Mannaert
frm. Sports CEO, Club Brugge
Trusted by leaders working at
Program overview
FOCUS MBA in Football Strategy and Leadership is a 6-month executive program that combines executive leadership development with the technical and strategic demands of modern football.
All the modules are sequenced to strengthen your impact in the moments that matter most — providing actionable frameworks and strategies you can apply immediately in your role.
The curriculum is structured around three core areas:
Executive Leadership Development – high-performance leadership, the first 100 days, organizational effectiveness, and building effective teams
Football Structure – football strategy execution, recruitment and squad building, and end-to-end transfer operations
Integral Areas – academy management and talent development, and finance for technical leaders
Designed as a highly practical learning journey for busy professionals, the programme combines live online workshops, in-person modules and club visits, case studies, peer learning, and applied assignments.
All live sessions will be recorded and available with lifetime access, providing the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
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 make decisions under pressure, lead teams, and build long-term culture
- How to manage technical operations, departments, staff, and structures under one system
- How to build a modern and progressive football strategy that goes beyond words
- Manage sporting budgets, contracts, and squad investment decisions
- Navigate transfer systems, regulations, and legal frameworks with confidence
- Build talent development frameworks aligned with club identity
- How to align academy, scouting, data, and performance into a unified model
What our participants say
Is Focus MBA right for you?
- 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, UK
- Module 5: On-campus, Brussel, Belgium
- Module 6: On-campus, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 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.
Schedule an info meeting
Get your brochure
- Starting on October 12, 2026
- 6-month, Online + On-campus
- Industry visits
- 100% Flexible, possible to complete all online
Build a powerful, evolving network
Below are some of students who already registered in this program.
What you will actually learn to do
You’ll progress through a structured MBA journey designed to develop the strategic, leadership, and technical capabilities required to lead modern football organisations.
- 📈 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.
Inside the FOCUS MBA
Learn from leaders who've done it
Vincent Mannaert
Les Reed
Dévy Rigaux
Join the success stories
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!
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
- Starting on October 12, 2026
- Blended, 6-month
