FOCUS MBA in Football Strategy and Leadership

Designed for current and aspiring sporting and technical directors, heads of technical departments, recruitment and scouting leaders, academy staff, coaching staff, club executives, and experienced player agents, the FOCUS MBA in Football Strategy and Leadership is an advanced executive programme covering three core areas: executive sports leadership, football structure, and integral areas. Topics span high-performance leadership, organisational design, football strategy execution, recruitment and squad building, transfer operations, academy management, talent development, and finance for technical leaders. The programme concludes with an applied group project addressing real-world football challenges.

The six-month programme is delivered in a blended format, combining online learning with three on-campus modules held in London, Brussels at the Belgian FA, and at Club Brugge. All in-person sessions are live-streamed, making full online completion possible. Participants earn a diploma upon completion. The programme is led by Les Reed, formerly of the FA and Southampton FC, and draws on faculty including Vincent Mannaert, former CEO of Club Brugge, alongside other senior football industry practitioners. It is delivered by FOCUS Sports Education, with the next cohort starting October 2026.