Area of focus when taking over a football club

When it comes to the success of a football club, it is important to note that it is not only determined by its on-field performance, but also by its off-field management. A well-rounded approach is necessary to build a strong foundation for the club and ensure its long-term success.

The first step in the process of taking over a club should be to evaluate the current state of the club in terms of operations and management. There should be 5 areas of focus :

  • The professional group

  • The training academy

  • Recruitment

  • Marketing and partnerships

  • General management

The professional group and youth academy are important as they provide the foundation for the club's on-field performance. It is crucial to have a well-rounded coaching staff that can provide the necessary support in terms of technical, athletic, medical, video analysis, and data analysis. Additionally, a strong youth academy can provide a pipeline of talent for the club's first team.

The recruitment team plays a vital role in identifying and acquiring new talent for the club. They are responsible for identifying potential players and making contact with their agents. A well-organized recruitment team can save the club a lot of money in the long run by identifying players who are undervalued in the market.

The general management is responsible for ensuring that the club is run efficiently and effectively. This includes developing a human resources strategy, creating budgets, and identifying growth opportunities. The general manager must have a good understanding of the club's finances and be able to identify areas for cost savings.

Finally, the communication and marketing team is responsible for promoting the club and its products. They are responsible for creating and executing a communications strategy that will help to enhance the club's image and attract new fans. They are also responsible for maintaining relationships with existing partners and identifying new sponsorship opportunities.

If you considering investing in a football club, here are the key tasks you should look at and get organized for :

  • Professional Group :

    • Defines and executes objectives with the Director of Sport

    • Recommends a coach that aligns with desired goals and providing necessary support in terms of technical, athletic, medical, video analysis, and data analysis.

    • Evaluates the existing team and suggests trades and recruitment for each season

    • Ensures effective training and competition dynamics

  • Training academy :

    • Ensures compliance with UEFA regulations by providing qualified coaching and supervision of training programs

    • Monitors the progress of young players and maintaining relationships with parents

    • Evaluates all academy players and determining their potential for future sales

  • Recruitment Team :

    • Evaluates the existing recruitment team and making changes as necessary

    • Develops a scouting plan and tools to track multiple players

    • Establishes contact with parents and agents of identified players

  • Marketing and partnerships :

    • Develops a commercial strategy for the club and creating communications to promote the club's

    • Actively manages partnerships opportunities

  • General Management :

    • Aligns with investors' expectations

    • Develops a human resources strategy that aligns with the overall strategy of the club and ensuring its implementation

    • Develops budgets and investment plans, and identifying growth opportunities and diversification options