Foundations of Sporting Directors Course

Learn the technical dimensions of running a football club that creates value for clubs on and off the pitch.

Master the strategies you need to advance

Foundations of Sporting Directors Course is a fast-paced course.
Bringing together a variety of top professionals to explore and convey the best methods and approaches.

What you'll learn

Through lessons, live lectures, group discussions, and case studies, you will examine best practices and winning strategies in the recruitment of footballers, gaining new insight into strategic challenges in the football business.

Building, managing, and leading a scouting team effectively
Creating a recruitment strategy based on your club's circumstances
Building a successful squad, the timeline of squad planning, and defining target markets
The promoting process of bright players from academy teams to the first team
Acquiring talents with the best possible deals, and nourishing them
Assessing a negotiation and recruitment process from a legal perspective
The fundamental role of data and its limits
Anticipate technology's continuing impact

Learn with a network of like-minded people from clubs/associations like:

Start making progress

This program is for..

This program will give a fresh vision for understanding the technical dimensions of running a football club.
And, you will learn effective ways to manage your teams within your responsibilities.

Student Success Story

How FOCUS programs helped Matt to advance his career

We’re proud to see our Foundations of Sporting Directors Course graduate Matt Johnson promoted to a new role as a Head of Recruitment for a Women’s Team at Portsmouth FC.

“The network, skills and workflow insight gained on the FOCUS Foundations of Sporting Directors Course has allowed me to obtain as role as a Head of Recruitment for a Women’s team.

Understanding how to build a successful recruitment team, create an effective workflow and work effectively as a small market club are all key learnings I will be taking into my new role.

I will continue to use the resources available on the FOCUS platform from the course to support me in this role and am in contact with members of my cohort regularly.“

Matt Johnson Head of Recruitment at Portsmouth FC Women

Browse learning plan

This unique program focuses on the latest trends in regard to building a team and culture within a football club, recruitment models and sporting strategy, youth academy, legal matters, as well as understanding the role of tech in squad management and recruitment.

Module 1: Building a core team and culture and daily work in recruitment department

• On-boarding

• Lesson 1: Formation of a Well Working Group of Scouts

• Lesson 2: Daily Work in the Scouting

Department

• Case Study: Right To Dream & FC Nordsjælland

• Lecture: Anna Edwards & Dave Slemen teach on the importance of having a core team for building a successful organizational structure.

• Lecture: Ahmet Schaefer teach on leading a sporting a strategy.

• Assignment 1

• Lesson 3: Scouting Reporting

• Lesson 4: Youth Scouting

• Case Study: Bodo Glimt

Module 2: Squad planning, forming a winner recruitment strategy

• Lesson 5: Scouting History

• Lesson 6: Team Planning and Recruitment Strategy

• Lesson 7: Building a Successful Squad

• Case Study: Royale Union Saint Gilloise

• Lecture: Mads Davidsen on creating a resilient sporting strategy.

• Lecture: Les Reed the essentials of building a successful squad and creating a winner recruitment strategy on and off the pitch.

• Lecture: Francis Cagigao on the essentials of building a successful squad and creating a winner recruitment strategy on and off the pitch.

• Assignment 2

• Lesson 8: Timeline of Squad Planning

• Lesson 9: Defining Target Markets

• Case Study: VfB Stuttgart

Module 3: Legal subjects and positioning of the academy in squad management

• Lesson 10: Academy & First Teams Connection

• Case Study: Santos FC

• Lecture: Gianpaolo Monteneri teach on legal matters to assess as a seller and buyer club

• Lecture: Aloys Wijnker teach on the essentials of growing elite-level players.

• Lecture: Gareth Henderby explain the secrets of Right to Dream and FC Nordsjaelland on growing elite-level young players.

• Assignment 3

• Lesson 11: Investment Types

• Case Study: River Plate

• Lesson 12: Collaborating with Agents

Module 4: The fundamental role of technology and its limits

• Lesson 13: Utilizing Data and Its Limits

• Case Study: FC Dallas Rising on the technology and academy integration

• Lecture: Rodrigo Picchioni teach on foundations of data & analytics department, and leveraging performance through data & analytics.

• Lecture: Ben Larrousse teach on utilizing and maximizing the value of a data & analytics in a recruitment strategy.

• Case Study: Brentford FC

• Assignment 4

• Q&A Session: Live Q&A Session with Ingo Winter

Stay inspired with an expansive library of learning content

As a member, you get access to numerous learning content focused
on the biggest trends and challenges in today’s sports world both on and off the pitch.

Meet your lecturers

Your esteemed lecturers are change-makers in the football industry who are committed to
empowering you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in your professional journey.

Ahmet Schaefer

President,
Clermont Foot 63

Les Reed

Former Vice Chairman,
Southampton FC

Ingo Winter

Director of Football,
Core Sports Capital

Anna Edwards

Managing Partner, Elite Performance Partners

Dave Slemen

Founding Partner, Elite Performance Partners

Francis Cagigao

Former Head of Recruitment, Arsenal FC

Rodrigo Picchioni

Head of Analytics,
Atletico Mineiro

Mads Davidsen

Head of Football,
Right to Dream

Ben Larrousse

Senior Data Scientist,
Twenty First Group

Gianpaolo Monteneri

Director,
Monteneri Sports Law

Aloys Wijnker

Technical Director,
Netherlands FA

Gareth Henderby

Head of Academy,
FC Nordsjælland & Right to Dream

Hear from our members

Dr Ceri Bowley

Global Lead of Technical Leadership at Double Pass

“The Foundations of Sporting Directorship Course offers a solid introduction to the role of the sporting director with a specific emphasis on talent identification and recruitment. The combination of live sessions and a series of e-learning modules allows for flexibility and self-paced learning.

This course is a good starting point for those curious about the role with a pathway to progress to the Advanced Certificate Program in Sporting Directorship for those that want to continue learning.“

Alfred FInnbogason

Icelandic National Player

“I especially enjoyed the live lectures from seasoned professionals in the field of football at the director level which really gave an insight into the complexity and often randomness that has to do with football at the high level.
I can recommend this course for everybody that has an interest in learning about the sports director job as well as someone that wants to add knowledge and network to their resume.“

Goolam Valodia

Head of Analysis at Mamelodi Sundowns

“Having attended the course, I can safely say that there was valuable insight and understanding gained from attending the Foundations course. Understanding the role, taking you through the journey of a Sports Director and the requirements, from leadership, research and implementation.

Highly recommended.“

Terry Burton

Former Director of Football, WBA

“The course supplied so much information with well-structured lessons with many relevant case studies. The assignments are thought-provoking and make you look at your own beliefs in how a successful football club should be run with feedback from your fellow cohort of students.

In all, an excellent well administrated informative introduction to becoming a Sports director in football.

Be part of a community of collaborators

You’ll join a cohort of ambitious, generous professionals who will help you grow.

Learn with like-minded professionals..

Learn the technical dimensions of the running of a football club.

Master's Quality Programs in Football

Combine the FSD Course with the Advanced Certificate Program in Sporting Directorship, pay 950 CHF instead of 1150 CHF.

Advanced Certificate Program in Sporting Directorship

Learn how to structure teams for impact, a resilient sporting strategy, enhancing the value of sporting assets and comprehending financials.

FOCUS Resources

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, insightful talks, and a treasure trove of expert lectures. Join our community of football enthusiasts and professionals who are shaping the future of the game.

Stay informed, stay inspired, stay ahead!