A Week to Remember on the Alternative Sporting Director MBA

In May the North West of England played host to an unforgettable few days for the Edition 1 cohort of the Alternative Sporting Director MBA (AltSD MBA) — our innovative 11-month programme designed for the next generation of football leaders. This was the second block of three following a successful block one in London.

Day One: Inside the Game

We kicked off with an exclusive visit to the FSG Football Group, where learners were welcomed by Julian Ward, Pedro Marques, and Hans Leitert. The session offered an insider’s view into high-performance leadership, organisational structure, and innovation within a developing multi-club ownership model.

This was followed by deeply reflective and instructive talks from Gyorgy Csepregi (OH Leuven) and Marc Canham (Football Association of Ireland), both of whom shared personal leadership journeys packed with lessons for aspiring and current sporting directors.

The day concluded with a pre-conference networking event at Hotel Football — a chance to connect with members of our growing global network of executives across the football industry.

Day Two: A Conference of Ideas

The AltSD MBA cohort then took part in the ASD Global Conference, a highlight of the learning block. With contributions from Damian Hughes (High Performance Podcast), Dr Claire-Marie Roberts (Coventry University), Tony Scholes (Premier League), and Dr Alex Culvin (FIFPRO), the day was full of ideas, experience, and energy.

A standout moment came from current learners Gary Lewis (Chicago Fire) and Jeremy Seethal (Right to Dream), who shared honest reflections in conversation with Professor Barry Drust, reinforcing the power of vulnerability, self-awareness, and professional development in leadership.

That evening, the community gathered for a social event at the Kimpton Clocktower — blending learning with meaningful connection.

Day Three: Looking Forward

The final day brought a sharp focus on future direction. Contributions from Scott McLachlan (Global Football Holdings), Tony Asghar (Revolution Sports Investment), and Gareth Jennings (formerly UAE Pro League) prompted important conversations around leadership, ownership, and transitions in football.

The block concluded with a collaborative session dedicated to personal growth, peer-to-peer learning, and goal-setting for the second half of the programme.

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We now turn our attention to Block Three in December and continue to build momentum through virtual engagement — including our upcoming session with Tiago Pinto (Bournemouth) and Thiago Scuro (AS Monoco)

If you’re interested in applying for the 2026 AltSD MBA — or would like to recommend someone from your network — please get in touch directly via [email protected] and follow this page and check our our plans for the future: ASD 2026