October 21 – More than 100 former professionals have now completed UEFA’s Executive Master for International Players (MIP) – a course designed to prepare ex-players, coaches and referees for careers in football administration and management.
Gokhan Inler, Nora A hero and Julien shield were among 26 recent graduates this week, bringing the program’s number of alumni to more than 100 since 2015.
“Football needs your insight, your leadership and your passion,” said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin during the graduation ceremony in Nyon. “By staying involved and growing academically, you can help shape the future and inspire the next generation to follow in your footsteps.”
Čeferin praised the impact of the program on career transition. “The game depends on a vast ecosystem, which includes management and governance, but also development, innovation and even entertainment – a system that ensures it continues to grow and evolve.”
Sif Atladóttir reflected on the course experience: “From the first days we understood that football is much more than coaches, players, changing rooms and the pitch. We started to see the complexity of the football environment and how all the different stakeholders must work together to protect and grow the football we see today.”
Julian Baumgartlinger added: “Our locker room and dinner conversations shifted from light football fan talk to discussions about the new perspectives and knowledge we gained from that day’s session.”
Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA Deputy Secretary General, welcomed the next class of MIP students and noted the collective achievements of the graduates, who have earned more than 1,600 international caps:
Cüneyt Çakır – former Turkish referee, 2015 UEFA Champions League final
Sara Gama – Captain of Italy, Juventus, Italian football hall of fame
Faouzi Ghoulam – Algeria, two-time winner of the Italian Cup
Andrine Hegerberg – Norwegian international, PSG and Roma
Simon Kjær – Denmark captain, former AC Milan defender
Ivan Rakitić – Croatian international, UEFA Champions League winner
Morgan Schneiderlin – French midfielder, winner of the UEFA Europa League
Mario Suárez – midfielder of Spain, winner of the UEFA Europa League
Jan Vertonghen – Belgium’s most capped player
“It is important for football that people like you – those who come off the pitch – choose to continue their journey within the game and move it forward,” said Marchetti. “Football is in transition and faces both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. One thing is certain: the game needs leaders who understand it from the inside out.”
Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at force.l1761047736laboratory1761047736ofdlr1761047736are1761047736sni@g1761047736it’s him.1761047736year1761047736
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