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.
Gökhan Inler, Nora Heroum and Julien Escudé were among 26 fresh graduates this week, bringing the programme’s alumni since 2015 to over 100.
“Football needs your insight, your leadership, and your passion,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin at the graduation ceremony in Nyon. “By staying involved and growing academically, you can help shape its future and inspire the next generation to follow in your footsteps.”
Čeferin praised the programme’s impact on career transition. “The game relies on a vast ecosystem, encompassing management and governance, as well as development, innovation and even entertainment—a system that keeps it growing and evolving.”
Sif Atladóttir reflected on the course experience: “From the first days, we understood that football is a lot more than coaches, players, locker rooms and the pitch. We started to see the complexity of the football environment and how all the different stakeholders need to work together to protect and grow the football we see today.”
Julian Baumgartlinger added: “Our locker room and dinner talks shifted from light football-fan talk, over to discussions about the new perspectives and knowledge we had gained during the day’s session.”
UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti welcomed the next cohort of MIP students, noting 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 – Italy captain, Juventus, Italian football hall of famer
Faouzi Ghoulam – Algeria, two-time Coppa Italia winner
Andrine Hegerberg – Norway international, PSG and Roma
Simon Kjær – Denmark captain, former AC Milan defender
Ivan Rakitić – Croatia international, UEFA Champions League winner
Morgan Schneiderlin – France midfielder, UEFA Europa League winner
Mario Suárez – Spain midfielder, UEFA Europa League winner
Jan Vertonghen – Belgium’s most capped player
“It is important for football that people like you—those who come from the field—choose to continue their journey within the game and help lead it forward,” said Marchetti. “Football is undergoing a transition, facing both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. One thing is certain: the game needs leaders who understand it from the inside out.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1761047736labto1761047736ofdlr1761047736owedi1761047736sni@g1761047736niwe.1761047736yrrah1761047736
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