UEFA MIP: from top players to top leaders

The UEFA MIP (UEFA Executive Master for International Players) is a new training course, delivered exclusively in English, to be started in November 2015.

This programme is organised by CDES (University of Limoges), UEFA and the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre (University of London). The UEFA MIP has also been developed with the support of FIFPro (the world players’ union for professional footballers) and ECA (the European Club Association).

As an executive master’s degree, the UEFA MIP is a unique training course at international level, delivered by the University of Limoges. 

The UEFA MIP programme is based on a close collaboration with the stakeholders of the sports movement (UEFA, FIFPro and ECA), on a multidisciplinary approach (law, economics, management and political science), with top speakers  ̶  whether academics or practitioners  ̶  as well as on a double experience from the University diploma to become a General Manager of a professional sports club and the Executive Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO). This programme is therefore fully consistent with the training courses delivered by CDES.

Who can apply?

The UEFA MIP is designed for former international athletes (mostly football players but not exclusively), from all countries, who have played at the highest level, with the aim of giving them tools for match-winning performances in football administration and management as part of a second career.

This programme is aimed at helping these former elite athletes to make the transition from top players to top leaders.

The UEFA MIP was designed to meet not only the specific needs of these athletes who have played at the highest level but also the needs of sports organisations.

Former professional athletes who have played international matches have indeed a lot to offer in the sports sector. Some of the skills acquired as a high-level athlete are directly transferable to the role of a top manager working for a company or an organisation (leadership, commitment, team spirit, etc.). The sports sector has therefore a clear interest in offering them the opportunity to start a second elite career.

The UEFA MIP is aimed at providing the tools to transfer and complement these sporting skills, thanks to innovative and tailor-made learning methods, in order to help former top players become top leaders!

PRogramme details

The UEFA MIP programme comprises 7 week-long sessions over a period of 20 months (from November 2015 to June 2017 for the first edition) and is compatible with a professional schedule. The sessions are held in major European cities (Nyon, Paris, London, Munich, Amsterdam, Barcelona or Madrid), while the final session takes place in New York (USA).

Each course is designed for about 20 participants who are expected to participate actively to the 7 sessions of the training programme, to get involved in the various practical exercises that are tailor-made for them, and to write a report to be defended orally at the end of the programme.

The level of expectations corresponds to a master’s degree but the assessment process and teaching methods have been tailored according to the participants’ specific backgrounds as former internationals who have played at the highest level.

The Centre for the Law and Economics of Sport (CDES) and the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre both have valuable experience to implement such interactive teaching.

The UEFA MIP Brochure

The UEFA MIP website