What is a sporting director?

As the football industry develops into a new era, many careers and specific sub-industries begin to flourish, such as the rapid growth of sports psychology or the greater importance on data and analysis.

Behind the scenes at football clubs and sporting organisations, the sporting director has become a role which demands the utmost success with regards the success of the organisation as a whole.

Dan Ashworth, former sporting director at Newcastle United and Manchester United, spoke to UCFB about what the role involves.

“I think, first and foremost, that it varies from club to club,’ he said. “It’s the beauty of the role, it does vary.

“It’s sort of like sitting in the middle of a bike wheel, trying to link each of the different departments of the club together.”

These departments can range from men’s and women’s first team to sports science departments including psychology and medical, or such others as recruitment and football operations.

“They’ve all got a department head,” Dan continued, “and my role is to try and challenge, support and pull those roles together, and try and have an alignment of things that we’re trying to do at the club, which is consistent to our culture, values, DNA and philosophy.”

UCFB, alongside partners VSI Executive Education, have launched a postgraduate degree course tailored to the ever-growing and demanding role of a sporting director.

Our MSc Sports Directorship course equips sports professionals and leaders with the skills to develop a successful vision and deliver for the long-term success of sports organisations via the prominent role of Sporting Director.

With the skills, knowledge and experience required to sit in the strategic leadership role, the course covers such areas as sports leadership, personal development, masterminding innovation and change, sport governance and best practice.

Find out more about the course which is available at UCFB Manchester.

You can also view a UCFB prospectus to see more of the sports industry-tailored undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses on offer.