The last official stop in a 13-month journey for European club executives will come on 13-15 June in Nyon, Switzerland, at the final module of ECA Club Management Programme fourth edition (CMP4).
Over the previous four modules and 15 days of learning, participants have met up across the world, including in Paris, California and Stockholm, to learn about a wide variety of topics that has included Leadership, Strategy and Innovation, Football Club Operations, and Technological and Social Trends in Club Football.
Now, as implied in the title, “The Future of European Football Clubs”, module five will have a strong outlook on various aspects that will shape how football clubs are managed in the future. The focus will be on deriving the impact of the highlighted trends and developments, within and outside the football industry and the current and future challenges they bring, and consider what the outcome will be for the sporting and commercial strategy of clubs, as well as the overall club strategy.
Speakers at ECA and UEFA headquarters in Nyon will include noted football academic and author Simon Kuper; A.S. Roma General Manager, Tiago Pinto; Global Football M&A & Investment Strategist, Jordan Gardner; Grégoire Nalet, UEFA’s Strategic Intelligence Projects Manager; Marcel Aberle, Trends Researcher at Zukunftsinstitut; Digital and Commercial experts Richard Ayers and Bindi Ghai, from Seven League; Ian Richardson, Director of Executive Education at Stockholm Business School; , as well as executive coaches, Kris Perquy and Fabrice Gatti from Sport Business Talent.
Organisers, though, are keen that this is not seen as the end of the journey.
ECA Knowledge & Education Manager Sara Williams said:
“This is not the end. A strong foundation has been laid, and it’s important now that strategies and concrete plans are put in place to continue the momentum beyond the classroom, building upon the blocks already established during the programme; thus, paving the way for even greater future impact”.
“Over 12 months ago, we started by exploring the strategic foundations and leadership approaches, as well as crystallised the need for innovation in European club football before proceeding to delve into the status quo of the operational, or more precisely the sporting, commercial and supporting activities of a club, mapped against background of current challenges. In the modules to follow, we continued to cover and highlight a wide range of technological and social trends as well as their impact on the strategic and operational levels of football. All these themes will now be revisited and reflected upon during this final module in the context of overall football club strategy and the future landscape of European club football.”
Executives also participated in engaging peer coaching sessions and worked on some of the most relevant personal and leadership skills required to actively shape the future of European football. During the final module they will build upon these skills furthermore and spend time reflecting on their journey whilst considering how the programme has or will create an impact and offer a return on investment, both to their personal development, and to their clubs.
Sara added:
“Now, with Module 5, we aim to link up all these overarching elements in a holistic manner, so that delegates have the knowledge, tools, and strategies at their disposal to return to their clubs and continue to influence change and create impact.”
And on 15 June, delegates will receive their certificate during a graduation ceremony and dinner in Geneva.
ECA CEO Charlie Marshall commented:
“It’s amazing we’re now at the end of CMP4 having introduced the programme for the first time in 2016. Our latest cohort has been enthusiastic and engaging and I am sure they have gained the maximum out of the programme.
“CMP has become a well-established and recognised educational service catering to the demands of many who seek to enhance their knowledge and understanding across a wide range of areas that determine the daily management of professional football clubs.”
The Club Management Programme (CMP) is ECA’s flagship educational programme aimed at senior club executives comprising of five modules spread over 13 months in different locations.
The CMP is part of the wider ECA Campus educational project providing knowledge, networking and growth opportunities for participants from ECA Member and Network Clubs. The curriculum is developed in partnership with Stockholm Business School (SBS) and is delivered with the assistance of strategic partner, C-Sight and delivery partner, The Football Business Academy (FBA).
Those taking part include:
Head of Matchday Operations & Security SK Sturm Graz, Austria; Head of Transfers & Projects FC Salzburg, Austria; Senior Strategy and Investments Manager, PSG, France; Legal Director, PSG, France; Manager Executive Projects, RB Leipzig, Germany; CEO KR Reykjavik, Iceland; COO Cork City, Ireland; CFO Maccabi Haifa FC, Israel; CEO Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC, Israel; Head of Retail Department Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, Israel; Global Head of Partnerships AC Milan, Italy; Head of Stadium Revenue & Entertainment Juventus, Italy; CEO FK Spartaks Jurmala, Latvia; Deputy CEO FK Sutjeska, Montengro; Head of Marketing & Brand Partnerships AFC Ajax, Netherlands; General Counsel PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands; Sporting Director KKS Lech Poznan, Poland; Vice President Sporting Clube de Portugal, Portugal; Head of Accounting SL Benfica, Portugal; Chief Operating Officer CFR 1907 Cluj, Romania; Head of Finance Rangers FC, Scotland; Head of Match Operations FC DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda, Slovakia; Deputy Club Director and Deputy CEO AIK Fotboll, Sweden; Head of Comms & Content Arsenal, UK; Venue Director Arsenal, UK; Senior Strategy Manager Manchester United, UK.