UEFA Academy course for former international footballers reaches historic centenary milestone
Monday, October 20, 2025
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More than 100 ex-professionals have now graduated from the UEFA Executive Master for International Players programme, which opens the door to a second career in football administration and management.
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Gökhan Inler, Nora Heroum and Julien Escudé were among 26 former players, referees and coaches to celebrate their graduation from UEFA’s prestigious UEFA Executive Master for International Players programme this week, taking the total number of alumni to more than 100 since 2015.
“Football needs your insight, your leadership, and your passion,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, addressing the graduation ceremony at UEFA HQ in Nyon. “By staying involved and growing academically, you can help shape its future and inspire the next generation to follow in your footsteps.”
With more 90% of MIP graduates taking on new roles either in national associations or prominent clubs across Europe or outside of football, the president praised the UEFA Academy programme’s success in preparing ex-professionals for new careers in football business and administration.
Mr. Čeferin explained that the football industry is not limited to what happens on the pitch. “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.”
Transformative
This week’s ceremony marks the end of a 20-month academic journey that transformed graduates’ understanding of the game.
“From the first days we understood that football is a lot more than coaches, players, locker rooms and the pitch.”
“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,” said Sif Atladóttir
“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,” added classmate Julian Baumgartlinger.
Welcoming cohort VI
This week also saw UEFA Deputy General Secretary, Giorgio Marchetti, welcome the next cohort of MIP students. Cumulatively, they have earned more than 1,600 international caps during their professional careers:
- Cüneyt Çakır – Turkish former referee, UEFA Champions League final 2015 referee
- Sara Gama – Italy international, Juventus captain and Italian football hall of famer
- Faouzi Ghoulam – Algeria international, two-time winner of the Coppa Italia
- Andrine Hegerberg – Norwegian international with PSG and Roma
- Simon Kjær – Denmark captain and former AC Milan defender
- Ivan Rakitić – former Croatia international and UEFA Champions League winner
- Morgan Schneiderlin – former France midfielder and UEFA Europa League winner
- Mario Suárez – former Spain midfielder and 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."
Where are they now?
The UEFA MIP boasts a prestigious alumni network, with many graduates now holding influential roles in football governance, club management and national associations.
- Bruno Cheyrou – Senior Player Development Manager at UEFA
- Nigel de Jong – Director of Top-level Football at KNVB
- Sebastian Kehl –Sporting Director of Borussia Dortmund
- Lise Klaveness – President of the Football Association of Norway
- Simon Rolfes – Managing Director of Sport at Bayer Leverkusen
- Hugo Viana – Director of football at Manchester City