Insights from the Field

This is the first book to focus on the management of professional football clubs, providing a real-world insight into management principles and their practical application. Each chapter analyses the role played by a key leadership figure within a club, such as the owner, CEO, CFO, COO, director and head coach.

The rapid global growth of the sport industry has prompted the need for a more commercial approach to the management of sport clubs. This book is the first study of its kind to focus on the management of professional football clubs, providing a real-world insight into management principles and their practical application.

The international commercialisation of football has led to a fundamental transformation of the industry’s management practices, given the financial rewards of success and the high price of failure. This book presents a critical examination of this transformation, questioning why clubs are increasingly adopting management strategies from other industries. Each chapter analyses the role played by a key leadership figure within a club, such as the owner, chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), director of football (DoF), and head coach. Full of exclusive interviews, case studies and examples of best practice, this book sheds new light on the challenges of working in this extraordinarily high-pressure environment.

Football Club Management: Insights from the Field is fascinating reading for all those working in or studying the management, marketing or administration of football.