MSC DEGREE
MSc Football Club Management
For graduates of our Postgraduate Diplomas in Global Football Business Management or Global Football Sport Directorship, this top-up MSc brings both disciplines together into a single executive qualification, allowing diploma graduates to extend their training by one additional year.
The programme strengthens leadership across football operations, commercial management and performance. It provides a clear understanding of how elite clubs are structured, financed and governed, preparing graduates for senior decision-making roles within the modern game.
To study for this MSc, you must have completed either the Global Football Business Management course or the Global Football Sport Directorship course.
Co-Director: David Dein
I am delighted to co-present, alongside PFA CEO Maheta Molango, the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Football Business Management.
The programme is designed to meet the demand for high-quality training in the football industry, supporting current and former players who wish to build careers in football business management. It was developed following an in-depth industry analysis, which identified the need for highly skilled professionals.
The course focuses on key elements of football - teamwork, competitiveness, and collective mindset - all essential to successful management. Participants will benefit from leading club executives and industry professionals from around the world, who will share their expertise.
I am confident this programme will support players in progressing towards new and exciting careers in the game.
David Dein, Co-Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Football Business Management
Co-Director: Les Reed
Welcome to this unique opportunity presented by the PFA and the University of Portsmouth - a journey that will help you navigate a post-playing career, using your experience and understanding of the dressing room in a new chapter.
I have been fortunate to enjoy a long career in football. I played in the lower tiers of the game, where I also began coaching, learning and developing step by step to reach the highest levels. As a coach, I have worked at the top of the game and have since built a second career in executive and leadership roles. Alongside my coaching journey, I completed a degree and further qualifications in sport, leadership and management. I have worked across many roles in professional football and now run my own business, Elite Football Consultancy.
I didn’t plan this path - it evolved as opportunities arose. I have been fortunate. With the PFA Business School, it doesn’t have to be left to chance. The MSc in Football Club Management has been designed to fit alongside the demands of the modern game, creating a positive, enjoyable and relevant learning experience for today’s players.
Les Reed, Co-Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Football Sport Directorship
Course Objectives and Target Audience
Course Content
Club marketing and commercial management
Fan engagement
Football club commercial strategy
Marketing and sponsoring strategy
Ticketing and VIPs
Sport events management
Hospitality and stadium facilities business
Event Management
Club operations management
Pre-season club management
• Ticketing and commercial strategy
• Sponsoring negotiations
• Pre-season planning
• Transfer window planning
• End-of-season report to owners and board
• CAPEX strategy
• Remuneration packages and contracts for players and coaches
• Club budget management
• People management: Appoint appropriate personnel, team manager and coaches, fitness coaches, and other team support staff to ensure smooth running on game days.
During season - Sport management
• Sport Directorship
• The manager and coaching team
• Scouting
• The Academy
• Male and female team management
• Medical, physiotherapy and rehab management
• Psychology department management
• Football analytics
• The Sport Project
Communication and PR
Managing internal communication:
• With the owners, the board of directors and the CEO
• With the sport management team, the manager and the coaches
• With players and agents
Managing external communication:
• With the media
• With other clubs
• With the player’s circle
Innovation and Digital
Transformation
Investments, debts and equity
Transfer of players
Negotiation with players, agents and coaches
Licensing and player registration regulations
Club financial planning
Economic valuation of the club’s assets
Development of economic projections
Financial planning
Definition of the business development
Objectives
Investing in stadium and facilities
M&A deals in football clubs
Club due diligence process:
• Financial due diligence
• Legal and tax due diligence
• Labour Due Diligence
The IPO Process
Acquisition contracts
CSR foundation
Sport operations management
Pre Season
• The Football Operational Plan
• Remuneration packages and contracts for players and coaches
• Budget management
• People management: Appoint appropriate personnel, team managers, trainers, runners and other team support staff to ensure smooth running on game days.
During season
• Delivery of the Football Operational Plan
• Liaise between players, coaches, Club Executive and General Committee
• Football equipment
• Managing support staff
• Coordination of submission of running sheets and match reports
• Reporting to the President and Executive Committee.
The manager and coaching team
The academy
Male and female first-teams management
Medical, physiotherapy and rehab management
Psychology department management
EDI management
Player care
Communication and public relations
• Managing internal communication
• With the owners, the board of directors and the CEO
• With the sport management team, the manager and the coaches
• With players and agents Managing external communication
• With the media
• With other clubs
• With the players’ environment
Scouting
Talent Identification in Football
Scouting Reporting
Opposition Analysis in Football
Technical Scouting in Football
Performance Analysis in Football
Recruiting & transfer of players
Football analytics & knowledge management
Why is data important in football - Prediction vs. Description
How has data (and data roles) in football grown
What jobs/roles are available in football which utilise data now
On-boarding: Data visualisation tools and data coaching/scouting tools
Data in practice: analysing and explaining teams
Game phases and style of play: Measure and monitor
What’s your style of play? Using data to build your game model
Case study: Creating and scoring phase - “Where goals come from”
Opposition analysis: Identifying opposition strengths, weaknesses and strategic approach
Probability, prediction & player performance
Using data to scout and coach players
Using data to understand footballing value
Using footballing and other data sources to determine a player’s sporting and financial value
Course Delivery
Course Length
One academic year – in addition to completing one of the PFA Business School Diplomas.
Language
This course is taught in English.
Schedule
Starts September - Part-time.
• One virtual session every two weeks (2 hours)
• Four face-to-face sessions (one every two months)
Location
PFA London.
Accreditation
On completion, you will receive an MSc in Football Club Management, awarded by the University of Portsmouth in collaboration with the PFA Business School.
Fees & Grants
£5,900 + VAT per year.
PFA members can apply for a £2,000 + VAT grant.
15% discount available for alumni and industry professionals.
